BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University baseball team split its home doubleheader, against in-conference rival Thomas College, on Saturday afternoon at the Winkin Sports Complex. The Eagles fell 5-3, in the first game, before bouncing back with a 4-2 win in game two. 


GAME 1:
In the first game of the day it was Thomas (11-12, 7-2 NAC) who jumped out to the fast start, scoring three runs in the first two innings. However, it wasn't long before senior Austin Snow knocked in the first responding run for the Eagles, by singling to right-center field in the bottom of the second, bringing in sophomore Cam Rendell after he reached base on a walk, to make it a 3-1 score. 

A cold stretch for the Husson (9-9, 6-2 NAC) bats then followed, while the Terriers capitalized with two more runs of their own, extending their lead to 5-1.

The Eagles then attempted a late-inning comeback, after freshman Matt Holmes connected with a triple down the right field line in the sixth inning, with Rendell scoring once again, after his single up the middle of the infield. 

Husson's comeback attempt ultimately fell short in the bottom of the seventh, following another Rendell single that scored senior Akira Warren, that finalized a 5-3 score in favor of the Terriers.

Junior pitcher Connor Abood got the starting nod for the Eagles, lasting five innings on eight hits, five-earned runs, and three strikeouts. In for relief, sophomore Ben Phillips and senior Zain Fitzsimmons each contributed a scoreless inning, in only 23 combined pitches. 

Rendell led Husson in the batter's box, going 2-2, with two runs and two walks. Followed by Warren and Snow, who combined for three hits and two runs. 

GAME 2:
Contrary to the first game, it was Husson that jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the second inning with a sacrifice fly to center field from Holmes that sent junior Tanner Evans home, after three consecutive walks for the Eagles.

The Terriers tied the contest in the following inning, which was only one of two runs that the two-way utility player Rendell gave up on the mound. Rendell lasted 6.2 innings, nearly earning the complete game while tallying two earned-runs, on five hits and five strikeouts. 

Senior Jackson Curtis recaptured the 3-1 lead for Husson, after an opposite-field home run shot brought in Warren, who singled to center field to start the third inning.

After Thomas narrowed the lead down to one in the fourth, Curtis followed suit with another insurance run, blasting a double through the right side, scoring sophomore Keegan Cyr on the play.

Curtis finished the game with two of the three hits for the team, along with three RBI's. Senior Ryan Robb picked up his second save of the season, needing only one pitch to do so, solidifying the 4-2 victory and split for the Eagles.

Husson returns to action on Sunday, by traveling southbound on I-95 for another doubleheader against Thomas, with game one starting at 1 p.m.