TUCSON, AZ. – The Husson University softball team dropped two games at the Tucson Invitational Games on Monday afternoon. The Eagles fell to Saint Benedict 7-0, and Hiram 9-8 at Lincoln Park.

GAME ONE: Saint Benedict 7, Husson 0

Saint Benedict (7-1) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning scoring three runs off two Husson (0-2) errors. The Eagles saw their first base runner in freshman Madelyn Fowler via the walk in the top of the first, but the Eagles couldn't get the timely hit to bring Fowler in.

In the top of the second, sophomore Morgan Coleman got things started for Husson by drawing the walk and was replaced on the base path by Kasey Poligni. Saint Benedict put a stop to the momentum by getting Poligni out at second on a sac bunt attempt by sophomore Jen Jones.

Saint Benedict slowly added to their lead by scoring runs in the second and fifth innings. Pitcher Ally Hjort kept the Eagles at bay with the shutout. Hjort had a tough matchup with sophomore Bri Brochu who went 2-3 with two singles to lead the Eagles in hits.

ON THE MOUND:

Sophomore Jen Jones allowed 2 runs off nine hits and three walks. Jones had three strikeouts and faced 28 batters.

OFF THE BAT:

• Brochu was 2-3 with two singles and was the game's lone repeat-hitter

GAME TWO: Hiram 9, Husson 8

The Eagles started off with hot bats scoring two runs in the top of the first inning against Hiram in the nightcap. Leadoff hitter Bri Brochu worked the count to draw a walk and then advanced to second with her first stolen base of the year. Brochu would later score off a single from Olivia Smith who made it to third on an error by the left fielder. Morgan Coleman then collected an RBI scoring Smith with a single up the middle.

Hiram (1-1) answered right back scoring 8 runs of their own in the first inning off some timely hits and walks. Husson wouldn't go quietly as they began to chip away at the deficit scoring two more runs in the top of the second inning. Pitcher Olivia Smith settled in after the first inning controlling the rest of the Hiram lineup.

Heading into the top of the 7th with Husson down 9-5, the Eagles mounted a comeback starting off with back to back singles by Brochu and Madelyn Fowler. Chloe Gorey brought both Brochu and Fowler in with a double to the left-center gap. Gorey then scored on a Smith single bringing the score within one. Husson couldn't quite get the tying run home and the rally was stopped by Hiram. 

ON THE MOUND:

• Sophomore Olivia Smith pitched 2.1 innings for the Eagles giving up 9 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks.
• Sophomore Jen Jones came in relief pitching 3.2 innings giving up 2 hits and had 10 strikeouts.

OFF THE BAT:

• Smith went 2-3 with two hits and two RBI
• Coleman was 2-4 with two hits and one RBI
• Kennedy was 2-3 with two hits and scored an Eagle run

 NEXT!

Husson returns to action tomorrow at 9:00 AM MST vs Moravian and 11:00 AM MST vs Rockford in Tucson, Ariz. at Lincoln Park.