FARMINGTON, Maine - The Husson Eagles baseball team (1-4, 1-0 North Atlantic Conference) opened NAC action with an 8-0 shutout victory over the University of Maine-Farmington Beavers (0-2, 0-1 NAC) on Thursday afternoon at Hippach Field.

IN THE ACTION

The Eagles got off to a quick start as David LeBlanc ripped a single up the middle then advanced to second after Chris Ewanik walked. With both runners on, Brandon Smith hit a shot dropping just short of the fence as he brought home both runners. Smith would then be driven home by Jackson Curtis by his double down the left field, in his first collegiate at bat, to make it 3-0 Husson after the first half inning.

Curtis hit his second two-bagger of the night with this one into right-center field in the top of the 5th inning and scored Smith and LeBlanc to extend the lead to 5-0. 

In the 7th, the Eagles kept the offense going as Tyler Parke walked then used smart base running to score as Ewanik drove him in. Smith, this time, cleared the wall as he hit a two-run homer to the deepest part of the park and drove in Ewanik to cap off the scoring in the 8-0 victory. 

ON THE MOUND

For the visiting Eagles; Harrison Lendrum made his second collegiate start and went four innings while allowing three hits and striking out a pair. With the victory; Lendrum moves to 1-0 on the season and 2-0 in his collegiate career. Chris Naylor went two innings and struck out three and gave up a hit. Jake Gregoire pitched the seventh and gave up a hit as well as struck out a Beaver. Ryan Robb pitched the eighth inning and allowed two hits but recorded a two-out strikeout to avoid giving up a run. Jesse Colford took care of the ninth with six pitches. 

For the Beavers, Aaron Goschke (L, 0-1) went five innings in his first collegiate start and allowed five runs on six hits while striking out seven, but walked four batters. Ryan Pratt came in for the sixth inning and retired the side in order. TJ Dorn took over for the seventh inning and allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits. Cal Tibbits had the eighth inning and allowed a hit. Brice Springer closed out the game for the Beavers and allowed one hit, but struck out two. 

AT THE PLATE

• The Eagles were led by Smith who hit the first Husson homer of the season and drove in four runs on the afternoon. 
• The Beavers saw offensive power from Andrew Hopkins with two hits while six other Beavers contributed one hit. 
• Curtis drove in three runs on three hits, including two doubles.

UP NEXT! 

The series with the UMaine-Farmington Beavers continues on Saturday, April 10th when both teams will face-off in a doubleheader at the Winkin Sports Complex with first pitch of game one set for 12 p.m.