SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The Union College softball team dropped both doubleheader games to Vermont State Castleton, falling 9–6 and 6–0 in its home opener Monday afternoon at Alexander Field.

GAME 1: CASTLETON 9, UNION 6

Junior Sam Rose led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, scoring two runs and adding an RBI. Sophomore Kyla Springer went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, while classmate Carra Cleaves also finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Senior Ellie Wintringer added a 2-for-4 showing with an RBI. Additionally, junior Sophia Burynski and sophomore Sammy Fenigstein each contributed a hit and scored a run.

Following a scoreless first inning, Castleton opened the scoring in the second when Carolyne Burlone moved to third on a wild pitch, allowing Samantha Horton to score an unearned run. The Spartans extended their lead in the fourth inning, beginning with a two-RBI single from Samera Rideout that brought in Maddy Dudley and Jordan Hill. Alex Brouillette followed with a double to left-center, driving in Madison Gould and Rideout to make it 5–0.

Union answered in the fifth to cut the deficit to two. An RBI single from Rose scored Burynski while Springer followed with a two-RBI single up the middle, plating both Rose and Fenigstein to make it 5–3.

Castleton responded in the bottom half of the inning, as Dudley doubled to right-center to score Hill and extend the lead to 6–3. In the sixth, Castleton added insurance runs. Abby Hacker delivered a two-RBI single to bring in Brouillette and Caley Napoletano, and Hill followed with an RBI single that scored Horton, pushing the lead to 9–3.

Union made one final push in the seventh, as Wintringer doubled to score Rose, and Cleaves added a two-RBI single that brought in first-year Gianna Guastaferro and Springer. However, the rally fell short as Castleton held on for the 9–6 win.

GAME 2: CASTLETON 6, UNION 0

Castleton wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning in game two. Alex Brouillette singled to left field to drive in Maddy Dudley for an unearned run, giving the Spartans an early lead. Makayla Walsh then delivered a two-RBI single up the middle, bringing home Madison Gould and Samera Rideout to extend the advantage to 3–0.

After several scoreless innings, Castleton added to its lead in the sixth. Walsh struck again, doubling to center field and advancing to third on the throw while driving in Makenzie Eliot. Samantha Horton followed with a double to left field to score Walsh, while Abby Hacker capped the inning with an RBI single up the middle to bring Horton home. The three-run sixth inning pushed Castleton's lead to 6–0, which held as the final score.

The Garnet Chargers open Liberty League play on Saturday hosting the Ithaca Bombers for a doubleheader at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.