DANBURY, Conn. — To open Little East Conference (LEC) play, the Western Connecticut State University softball team dropped a close game one with the Vermont State Castleton, 7-6, before the Wolves fell 8-1 in the second matchup on Sunday. WestConn moved to 2-10, and 0-2 in the league, while the Spartans improved to 7-5 and 2-0.

Castleton took a 2-0 lead in the first inning off a two RBI double. Still, a deep throw picked up along the left field line by Julia Valukis (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) to Wolves catcher Victoria Wiatrak (Cromwell, Conn.) prevented a third run from scoring as Makayla Walsh was thrown out at home plate. In the following frame, Kendall Allen (Naugatuck, Conn.) drilled the ball out of right field for a three-run homer to give the Wolves the 3-2 edge. To open the bottom of the inning, Jaycee Filancia (Hopewell Junction, N.Y. ) walked and stole second before Sera DeBaggis' (Mendon, Mass.) bunt single put Wolves on the corners before Allen's no-out home run in the third spot.

In the top of the second, the visitors evened the score at three, followed by two more runs that inning for Castleton's 5-3 lead. Castleton held onto the lead until the Wolves scored three in the bottom of the fifth. Allen ignited the rally with an RBI single to bring DeBaggis home and cut the deficit to one. Three batters later, Wiatrak doubled to center field to bring the tying run in as Alyvia Hogg (Hamden, Conn.) scored. On the next play, Valukis sent Wiatrak home. off a two-bagger to center field to give the hosts the 6-5 edge.

Castleton scored once in each of the last two innings to clinch the narrow 7-6 victory.

In game two, Castleton took a 6-0 lead after scoring one in the first and five runs in the fourth inning. Pinch runner Caitlin Milks (Sandy Hook, Conn.) put the home team on the board after a double and an extra bag on the throw by Valukis in the fifth inning. Wiatrak opened the inning with a double to center field, before Milks took her place on the bags. 

Castleton scored twice in the seventh inning to complete the doubleheader sweep. Lindsay Farinaccio (Red Hook, N.Y.) took credit for both losses after throwing a total of 5.1 innings.

WestConn hosts Mount Saint Mary College for a non-conference contest on April 2 for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.