CAZENOVIA, N.Y. - The Husson University softball team (27-1) won their third-straight North Atlantic Conference Championship after sneaking by the Cazenovia Wildcats (19-7) in game one, 7-6, then cutting game two short, 8-0, in five innings on Saturday afternoon at Veteran's Field. 

2021 NAC Rookie of the Year, Kenzie Dore, was named Tournament MVP while Sydney Ames, Jen Jones, and Erin Bonenfant earned selections to the All-Tournament Team.

GAME 1: Husson 7, Cazenovia 6

The Eagles took no time to get on the board as Kenzie Dore drove in the first run with a single through the left side to score Whitney Bess. The second run was scored in the third inning as Dore popped up to right field to advance the runners and a throwing error helped Katie Windsor dart home from second to extend the lead.

Cazenovia tied the game in the bottom half of the third as Lauren Kelleher singled to score Caila Benning then Kelleher was driven home by Caitlin Kelleher on a single.

Husson regained the lead in the fourth with three runs scored on two outs. Olivia McCarty led the rally with a single up the middle. She scored on the next at bat as Katie Raymond ripped a double down the left field line. A Wildcat throwing error allowed Raymond to score, followed by Windsor touching home off a Sydney Ames double. 

Cazenovia added two runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut Husson's advantage to one run. Maddison Cieslak sprinted home on a sacrifice fly then Lauren Kelleher doubled to score Sierra Amo and make it a 5-4 game. 

The Eagles added another run as Jen Jones grounded out sending Bess flying home before both teams would score in the sixth. Sydney Ames singled to score Windsor for the Eagles, then the Wildcats scored their sixth inning run as Benning singled to score Sarah Penny.  

In the bottom of the seventh, the Wildcats scored one run but left the bases loaded as Jones struck out two batters in the inning to help secure the 7-6 victory. 

IN THE CIRCLE 

Jen Jones struck out 11 to help achieve her 12th victory of the season.

Lauren Kelleher fell to 8-3 on the season as she went six innings and gave up three earned runs on nine hits. Abigail House pitched the seventh inning and gave up just one hit. 

OFF THE BAT

• Dore delivered two hits and drove in a run.

• Lauren Kelleher went 3-for-4 with two runs driven in and scored a run herself.

• Ames drove in two Husson runs.

GAME 2: Husson 8, Cazenovia 0 (Five Innings)

Just like the first game, the Eagles got on the board in the first inning. Jen Jones delivered a two-out base hit to score Dore. 

In the third inning, the Eagles found their power as Dore hit a solo shot over the fence followed by a three-run blast way over as Madelyn Fowler cleared the bases.

The Eagles used three runs in the fifth inning to finish off the second game in five innings.. McCarty doubled to left to score pinch-runner Teagan Blackie. McCarty scored as Raymond reached on a perfect bunt down the third base line that forced a Wildcat error. Raymond would score as Ames ripped one up the middle to help the Eagles capitalize on an 8-0 victory in the NAC Championship.

IN THE CIRCLE 

Ames pitched a three-hitter in her impressive five-inning action in the circle. She struck out two batters and gave up a walk in her 13th victory of the season. 

Serafina French dropped to 7-2 on the season as she gave up five runs on eight hits in three innings of work. House pitched in relief and gave up the final three runs on five hits. 

OFF THE BAT

• Jones went 3-for-3 as she scored a run and drove in one.

• Benning had two of the Wildcats' three hits.  

• Dore and Fowler both sent homers out of the park on 2-for-3 performances at the plate.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Kenzie Dore, Husson, MVP
Sydney Ames, Husson
Jen Jones, Husson
Erin Bonenfant, Husson
Lauren Kelleher, Cazenovia
Caitlin Kelleher, Cazenovia
Caila Benning, Cazenovia
Bailey Dunphy, Thomas College
Kelsey Currier, Thomas College
Mackenzie Sparacino, SUNY Delhi
Mel Papuli, SUNY Delhi

UP NEXT! 

With their third consecutive NAC Championship, the Husson softball team earns the automatic AQ to the NCAA Division III Regional Round of the Softball Championship. The selection show takes place on Monday, May 17th at 1 p.m.