LYNDONVILLE, Vt. - After opening up a no-hit game on both sides for the first three innings, the Husson University baseball team (6-4, 5-0 North Atlantic Conference) found their groove and scored 11 runs as they defeated Northern Vermont University at Lyndon (0-4, 0-1 NAC) in the North Atlantic Conference series opener. The final score at the Skip Pound Baseball Complex on Thursday afternoon was 11-1.

After cruising through the opening three innings, time began to slow down in the top of the fourth as the Eagles' offense exploded. David LeBlanc got it started as he ripped a double into left field and scored on the next batter thanks to Chris Ewanik launching his second homer of the season over the fence. Four batters later and the bases were loaded for Austin Baron. Patiently waiting for his pitch, Baron took the walk to send Brandon Smith home. A two-run error rounded out the scoring for the Eagles in the fourth as they brought in five runs to open up scoring. 

The Hornets responded in the bottom half of the inning with their only run of the contest as Codi Smith hit a homer to center field with no one on base. Husson held a 5-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.

Two outs later; the Eagles offense continued to cook as Jackson Curtis sent the third home run of the afternoon to left field, scoring Smith and extending the lead to 7-1. 

In the top of the 9th, the Eagles rounded out the scoring thanks to the power of pinch-hitting. Curtis sent a sacrifice fly to center field to score Ewanik and make it 8-1. Later in the order, Arika Warren hit a pinch-hit two-run RBI-double then came home on the next batter as James Lubanski, wearing #42 on Jackie Robinson Day, singled to center field to finish the scoring at 11-1, Husson.

ON THE MOUND

For the visiting Eagles, Chris Naylor (W, 2-1) got the start and went five innings as he allowed one run on two hits and fanned two. Jake Gregoire took the sixth inning and struck out a batter. In the 7th, Jack Corey sat the Hornets down 1-2-3. Alex Smith took care of the eighth inning and struck out a batter. Jesse Colford closed out the contest and struck out one Hornet to secure the win.

For the host, Sean Cavanaugh got the start and pitched three no-hit innings before being pulled for TJ Santaw. Santaw (L, 0-1) opened up the fourth inning on the mound and Sam Ognenoff finished the fourth and pitched the fifth as he gave up one run. Ryder Thronton entered the game in the sixth and went two innings only allowing a single hit. Steven Friscia took over for the eighth and walked a batter. In the ninth inning, Cooper Whitehouse got the first two outs, but gave up three runs on a hit. Joe Rafus was the seventh Hornet to pitch and he got the final out.

AT THE PLATE

• Curtis led the offense with three runs batted in, including his two-run homer. 

• The Hornets saw hits from Smith (home run) and Santaw.

• The Eagles went 8-for-17 (.471) with runners on and 4-for-9 (.444) in scoring position. 

UP NEXT!

Both teams get tomorrow off then resume the series with a doubleheader on Saturday on the Alfond Diamond with first pitch of game one scheduled for noon.