HUDSON, N.H. – The Husson University softball team got off to a strong start in North Atlantic Conference play as they swept a doubleheader against Northern Vermont University-Johnson on Friday afternoon in Hudson, N.H.

The Eagles got the scoring started in their first turn at-bat as senior Katie Raymond got hit by a pitch and scored later in the inning on an RBI from sophomore Kiara McLeod. Sophomore Tori Exel would hit an RBI-single that scored McLeod to make the Husson lead 2-0.

The Eagles would double their lead in the third inning as an RBI-groundout from junior Kenzie Dore and an RBI-sacrifice fly from sophomore Bulla McCabe put Husson up 4-0 after three innings.

The team would further salt-away game one as they tallied six runs on four hits in the fourth inning, including extra-base hits from seniors Tegan Blackie and Jill Bisson to give the Eagles a 10-run lead. 

Husson would tack on one additional run in the top of the fifth to earn the mercy-rule victory.

Senior McKenna Smith earned her eighth win on the season, as she pitched four innings of one-hit ball and struck out 10 of the 13 batters she faced. 

McLeod and Raymond led the Eagles at the plate with three hits apiece, while McCabe tallied four RBIs, in addition to Dore, Exel, and McLeod all driving in two.

Game two was more of the same for Husson as Raymond ripped a one-out triple and would steal home on the next at-bat to give the Eagles the early lead. Dore would follow Raymond as she would triple and would later be sent home by junior Julia Gregoire, as she would reach first base on a fielding error, as Husson would hold a 2-0 lead after the opening frame.

After a scoreless top of the second for the Eagles, they exploded for 16 runs in the third inning off of 13 hits, including a bases-clearing double from Raymond, in addition to four other extra-base hits. Dore, Gregoire, McLeod, and freshman Jordan Lambert all recorded multiple hits in the inning, as Husson led 18-0 after three innings.

Freshman Morgan Tainter would tally the last run of the game for the Eagles on a passed ball in the top of the fifth, as Husson would earn its second rule-run victory.

Dore and McLeod both recorded three hits, while Raymond, McCabe, Gregoire, Lambert, and Tainter all got two hits. Raymond and Lambert both knocked in three runs, with Dore, Gregoire, McLeod, and Tainter all driving in two.

Freshman Emily Rerick earned the win in the circle as she threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout to pick up her third victory of the season. Rerick struck out eight batters and issued just one walk.

Softball is back in action tomorrow in Hudson as they will play another NAC doubleheader against Northern Vermont University-Lyndon. First-pitch for game one is set for 10 a.m.