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HAMPTON, Va. (Mar. 16) - A two-run single in the top of the seventh by senior center fielder Zack Galasso broke a 1-1 tie and senior Paul Kubeja closed the door to earn his first save of the season as the Bearcats topped Castleton State (Vt.), 3-2.

With the win, the Saint Vincent College baseball team improves to 7-1 on the season while Castleton State falls to 0-6 to begin the campaign.

Junior second baseman Nick Beamenderfer led off the game with a double to left center and scored when classmate shortstop Brad Burkardt beat out an infield bunt single and advanced on a throwing error by the Spartans' pitcher.

Castleton answered back with a run in the bottom of the first. Bearcats starter senior Jeremy Mains walked the first batter who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and later scored on an RBI single by first baseman Joe Borowski.

The Bearcats had runners on second and third in the third inning after Beamenderfer walked and junior Andrew Kozusko was hit by a pitch, but Castleton starter Patrick Riley struck out junior designated hitter Alonzo Vazquez to end the threat.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Spartans started with leadoff walk followed by a single to left before Mains was able to force a double play and fly out to end the threat.

SVC added a pair of runs in the seventh on a two-run single by Galasso. Sophomore Jordan Britcher led off the frame with a walk and senior Nick LoNigro, who pinch-ran for Britcher, advanced to second on a single by Beamenderfer. Both runners advanced when Burkardt reached on an error, prompting Galasso's two-out single to right field.

The Spartans closed the gap to one run, 3-2, in the bottom of the seventh after a lead-off walk and single chased Mains. Kubeja came in and allowed a single to third baseman Peter Wagner, but struck out the final batter of the inning to end the threat.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kubeja struck out the side in order to close the door and earn the save.

Mains earned the win, tossing 6.2 innings and scattering six hits. He allowed two runs (both earned) and struck out four while allowing five walks. Kubeja earned the save after throwing the final 2.1 innings and allowing just two hits and striking out five with no walks.

Patrick Riley suffered the loss for Castleton, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing all three runs (all unearned). He gave up six hits while striking out four and walking three.

Beamenderfer, senior catcher Erik Fichter and Galasso all posted multi-hit days, with Beamenderfer scoring two runs and Galasso adding two RBI.

The Bearcats return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 17, when they play the Newport News Apprentice School in a doubleheader slated for an 11 a.m. start.