CASTLETON, Vt. – The Amherst College baseball team used a three-run sixth inning to defeat Castleton State College Sunday afternoon in non-conference action, 4-3.

The Jeffs continue to roll as they won their fifth-straight game and 12th in their last 13 outings as they improve to 18-7 overall. The win also snapped the Spartans' six-game winning streak, as they drop to 17-9 on the year. 

The Purple & White totaled eight hits in the game and were led by Conner Gunn '16, who finished 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Eric West '15 hit a two-RBI double in the sixth inning, and Anthony Spina '17 drove in the other Amherst RBI, while five others recorded a single. Junior Andrew Vandini saw his 12-game hitting streak come to an end. During that span, he went 24-for-51 (.471) with 29 RBI including seven mutliple RBI games. 

Sam Schneider '18 earned the starting nod for the Jeffs and tossed an eight inning gem. He allowed just two runs on three hits and struck out six. Mike Castiglie '17 picked up the save and did now allow a hit or run, while striking out one batter in the bottom of the ninth.

Five different players recorded a hit for Castleton, while Nick Swim, Tyler Hoare and Soren Pelz-Walsh all registered a RBI. Hoare went 1-for-1 with a home run, while Tyler Loard and Nate Swahn hit for doubles. Steven Jurkiewicz was credited with the loss after tossing six innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits and five strikeouts. Devin Hayes and Sam Spencer pitched in relief and did not allow a run in three combined innings.

Sunday's pitching duel was broken up in the top of the fourth when Gunn homered to left field to put the Jeffs on top, 1-0. After another scoreless and hitless inning in the fifth, the Jeffs' bats came alive in the top of the sixth. Vandini struck out to start the inning, but reached first base on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Yanni Thanopoulos '17 singled to center field and Gunn, on the next at-bat, reached base on an error to load the bases. West then stepped to the plate and doubled to center field to bring home Vandini and Thanopoulos. On the next at-bat, Spina slinged to right field to drive in another run as Amherst took a 4-1 lead. 

The Spartans scored in the bottom half of the inning off a sacrifice fly by Pelz-Walsh, and added a run in both the eighth and nine innings. Trailing by two in the bottom of the ninth, the Spartans opened the inning with a double and single to put runners on second and third with no outs. After a sacrifice bunt by Swim brought home Tayle Vile, Castiglie retired the next two batters to secure the win and end the threat.

Amherst returns to the field Friday, April 24 and will head to Wesleyan to being a crucial weekend series against its Little Three rival. The first pitch Friday is scheduled for 4 p.m.