The St. Lawrence University baseball team broke open a tight early contest with explosive middle innings, scoring 11 runs across the fifth and sixth frames to defeat Vermont State University Castleton, 13-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Tom Fay Field.

The Saints improved to 11-8 overall, while the Spartans fell to 7-18 on the season.

Both teams traded zeros through the first two innings before Castleton struck first in the top of the third. A leadoff double by Tuner Clews, followed by a hit-by-pitch and a fielder's choice bunt, put pressure on the Saints' defense. An error extended the inning and allowed an unearned run to score, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

St. Lawrence answered immediately at the bottom of the inning. Eddie Morrissey doubled to center field with one out, and two batters later, Gabe Albertson lashed an RBI double down the right-field line to even the score at 1-1.

The Spartans briefly regained the lead in the fourth inning. Carter Dickinson reached, moved into scoring position, and eventually scored on an RBI walk to Alex McClelland, pushing Castleton ahead 2-1.

From there, the Scarlet and Brown took firm control of the game.



In the bottom of the fifth, St. Lawrence erupted for seven runs on seven hits. Nolan Widrick and Edie Morrissey set the tone at the top of the order, and the Saints capitalized on a pitching change. Ethan Harris delivered an RBI single, Eoin Morrissey worked a bases-loaded walk, and Jack Growney drove in two with a sharp single up the middle. Riley Reimund, pinch-hitting, capped the inning with a two-run single to right-center, giving St. Lawrence an 8-2 lead.

Castleton scratched across a run in the sixth inning on an RBI double from Tommie Shaw to cut the deficit to 8-3, but the Saints answered yet again in the bottom half.

St. Lawrence poured in four more runs in the sixth, highlighted by RBI singles from Harris and Eddie Morrissey. The inning showcased the Saints' patience at the dish, as they took advantage of walks, wild pitches, and timely base hits to stretch the lead to 12-3.

The Saints added their final run in the eighth inning when Jake Towey grounded out to shortstop with the bases loaded, allowing another run to cross and making it 13-3.

On the mound, Shota Kubota set the tone with a solid start, allowing one earned run over four innings. James Morr earned the win in relief, working two innings and limiting Castleton to one run. The Saints' bullpen closed the door over the final three innings, as Noah Clausen, Will Mueller, and Ben Zyskowski combined to keep the Spartans off the scoreboard.

Offensively, Widrick led the way with four hits, while Eddie Morrissey went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Reimund delivered a perfect afternoon off the bench, driving in three runs, and Growney finished with three hits and two RBI.

St. Lawrence will continue its homestand on Tom Fay Field this weekend, as the Saints prepare to host Vassar College in a three-game set. Game one of the series will be tomorrow at 3 p.m.