MANSFIELD, Conn. - Mike Eaton (Sabattus, ME) pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to gain the win on the mound and drove in the winning run with a single in the bottom of the tenth inning to lift second-seeded University of Southern Maine to a 5-4 win over in-state foe Husson University Wednesday night in the opening round of the NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament at the Eastern Baseball Stadium.

The win in the final of four games on the first day lifts Southern Maine (36-7) into a winners' bracket game Thursday night at 7:45 against 2008 national champion Trinity College. The third-seeded Bantams advanced with a 6-4 win over sixth-seeded Westfield State College. Husson (31-13) needs a win over Westfield Thursday at 1:15 p.m. to remain alive.

Playing its first NCAA game ever, Husson never led in the game and twice trailed by two runs before finally tying the game with Eaton (5-0) on in relief by scoring two runs in the top of the eighth on an RBI single by leadoff hitter Zach Fernandes (Eliot, ME) and a sacrifice fly by Ethan Guerette (Wales, ME).

Eaton stranded two runners in the ninth, and after retiring the side in order in the top of the tenth, the No. -6 nationally-ranked Huskies posted their second win this year against Husson.

Freshman Roberto Valenti (Lawrence, MA), a late-inning replacement in right field, walked to lead off the tenth and was sacrificed to second by No. 9 hitter Anthony Pisani (Cheshire, CT). All-America Chris Burleson (Portland, ME) was then walked by relief pitcher Dan Beatham (Dexter, MA), and Eaton followed by stroking a  wo-strike  single through the right side to plate Valenti with the game-ending run.

Limited to just 6 1/3 innings this year due to injury, Southern Maine junior lefty Mark Schmidt (Gorham, ME) pitched into the seventh inning. He did not allow an earned run while fanning eight and walking four and allowing six hits.

Anthony D'Alfonso (Westbrook, ME), the Little East Conference Player-of-the-Year,  had three hits and drove in two runs for Southern Maine with an opposite-field single in the third and his ninth home run of the year leading off the seventh that gave USM a 3-1 lead.

U. of Southern Maine 5, Husson University 4

Husson (31-13)                  000    010    120  0   -- 4   9   0

Southern Maine (36-7)      101    001    100   1  -- 5    9   4

1 out when winning run scored

Ryan Arsenault, Chris Morris (7), Dan Beatham (10) and Nick Arthers. Mark Schmidt, Nick Hahn (7), Mike Eaton (8) and Jordan Berthiaume. WP-Eaton (5-0). LP-Morris (5-2). 2B-Cody Haverly-Johndro (H); HR-Nick D'Alfonso (9) (S).