AUBURNDALE, Fla. - Husson University (3-5) suffered an 11-9 defeat at the hands of St. Scholastica (4-3-1) in the RussMatt Invitational on Tuesday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Eagles jumped out to an early one run lead in the top of the first after a Chris Ewanik single through the left side brought in Kobe Rogerson to score. The Saints quickly responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the first on back-to-back RBI singles by Mitchell Olsen and Aaron Weber. 

In the bottom of the second, St. Scholastica tacked on four more runs behind a Mitchell Novak RBI single, a wild pitch and an Olsen two-run bomb.

The Eagles were able to strike back in the top of the third after a Ewanik bases clearing double down the right field line plated Nick Guerrette, Rogerson, and David LeBlanc. This brought the Eagles within two, but after a pitching change, Grant Mergen was able to end the inning for the Saints. Two strong innings from Alex Brooks kept the Eagles within striking distance of the Saints, allowing them to head into the fifth inning down by just two runs.

Husson cut the Saints deficit to one in the fifth, thanks to a Keith Pomeroy RBI single to center before Weber pushed St. Scholstica's advantage back to two in the home half of the inning on a sacrifice fly to centerfield.

St. Scholastica put the game out of reach in the sixth and seventh as they crossed the plate four times to take an 11-5 lead into the final two innings of the game.

Husson surged back in the top of the eighth after Pomeroy scored on a wild pitch and LeBlanc sent a three-run shot to left field, bringing the Eagles to within two, but it wouldn't be enough in the end, as Matt Tautges closed the door on the Eagles to earn the 11-9 victory.

ON THE MOUND - HUSSON:

• Logan Sheridan got the start and pitched one inning, allowing two runs (two earned) on four hits while walking one batter.
• Brooks pitched 3.1 innings allowing three runs (three earned) off three hits. He struck out one and didn't allow a walk.
• Austin Smith would take over on the mound in the fifth inning, pitching .2 innings. He allowed one run (one earned) off one hit.
• Whitmore, O'Connor, and Dousa would combine to pitch the bottom of the sixth, allowing three runs (one earned) off one hit.
• Nolan Dousa would finish the game, pitching 2.2 innings with one run (one earned) allowed on two hits. He struck out one and didn't allow a walk. 

ON THE MOUND - ST. SCHOLASTICA:

• Jack Perala pitched 2.1 innings allowing four runs (four earned) on seven hits. He struck out three and walked two batters.
• Mergen threw 2.2 innings to pick up the victory, allowing three hits and one run (one earned) with five punch-outs and three walks.
• Dallas Miller pitched 2.1 innings, he gave up one run (one earned) and struck out three. He walked three batters.  
• Olsen and Tautges combined for the last three outs. Tautges was credited with the save.

OFF THE BAT - HUSSON:

• Pomeroy went 3-for-5 on the day with a triple and an RBI.
• Rogerson went 2-for-4, and added two runs scored.
• LeBLanc was 3-for-5 on the day with a home run and three RBIs.  

OFF THE BAT - ST. SCHOLASTICA:

• Olsen was 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run, and four RBIs.
• Novak went 2-for-4, with two runs scored. 
• Reed Larson was 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored.
• Weber had a hit and two RBIs. 

UP NEXT!

The Eagles continue RussMatt Invitational action on Thursday, March 12th, when they face the RIT for a non-conference game at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 9:45 a.m.