Records

• Keene State:  6-23, 2-9 LEC
• Castleton:  9-18-1, 3-9 LEC

How It Happened
Barter had a big game, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double, two runs batted in, and two runs scored, but the Owls otherwise had just three singles and wind up splitting the season series with the Spartans.  Shutdown innings eluded KSC most of the day, as after scoring in the top of the first, they gave the run back in the bottom half.  Barter's blast in the top of the third made it 3-3, but Castleton quickly retook the lead with a run in their trip to the plate in the same inning.  The hosts added on insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings to push the lead to three.  Over the course of the game, Keene State had chances for more runs.  In the fifth down 4-3, Barter singled to left and Wyatt Daft worked a walk to start the frame before executing a double-steal to put both in scoring position with nobody out.  However, a shallow fly ball to center and a double play left the Owls scoreless in a deflating inning.  Mike Collins started the seventh with a single and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch with nobody out in a 5-3 game only to see a fly out and a line drive double play end that frame.  There was yet one more threat snuffed out, as in the eighth now down three runs, Eli Oliver took ball four and Josh Beayon followed with a single to center to bring the tying run to the plate.  However, a routine 1-4-3 double play was next as KSC's struggles with runners in scoring position continued against four different Castleton relievers.

Defensive issues plagued the Owls early on, as they made three errors in the first two innings to help the Spartans jump out to a 3-1 lead.  CU's run in the bottom of the first was unearned, coming across when Evan Keegan's fielder's choice grounder was thrown away.  Jake O'Brien walked and Addison Shaub doubled to right to begin the bottom of the second, with both scoring on a grounder to shortstop after the throw was errant.

After Keene State drew even thanks to Barter, Shaub's sacrifice fly in the third brought home Evan Keegan, who singled to start the frame, to make it 4-3.  That's where it stayed until CU's late insurance tallies.  The Owls put the leadoff man for the Spartans on base in six of eight innings, three times on walks.  KSC's pitching staff overall walked six (one intentionally).
Josh Beayon (0-6) got the start for the Owls and took the loss, lasting 1.1 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with three walks.  Gregory Esposito then covered the next 5.1 frames, allowing three runs.

Freshman Stephen Coffey got the ball for Castleton and pitched allowed three runs in four innings.  He walked four and whiffed two.  The win was credited to Max Olmsted (1-4), who walked one and gave up a hit in the fifth.  Owen Phelps struck out one in a 1-2-3 ninth in 14 pitches to pick up his second save.

Beyond Barter, Michael Montembeault went 1-for-2 with two walks at the plate for KSC's offense.  Beayon and Collins each singled and walked.

Reece de Castro (2-4, RBI, BB), O'Brien (2-3, RBI, BB, R), and Schaub (2-3, RBI, 2 R) each had multi-hit games for Castleton, who had a 10-6 edge in hits in what was remarkably their first home game all season.

Around the Horn

• Barter's long ball was the fourth this season and ninth of his career.  He would need three more to move into a tie for 10th on the all-time KSC career list.  The Owl senior has 30 RBI over his last 44 games.
• Keene State dropped to 0-4 at Spartan Field, all since 2019.  The Owls had snapped a five-game losing streak when they came from 5-2 down in the ninth to beat the Spartans in 10 in Keene earlier this season.

Up Next

• KSC travels to the University of Southern Maine (16-16, 6-5 LEC) for a conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 30 at 12:00 p.m.
• Castleton's Wednesday home game against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was cancelled.  They will host Western Connecticut State University (8-14, 4-8 LEC) for a pair of LEC games on Saturday, April 30 at 12:00 p.m.