When Lyndsay Merrill picked up the phone and learned she’d been selected for the Husson University Sports Hall of Fame, her thoughts immediately went to where it all began — a softball field, a glove too big for her four-year-old hand, and her dad teaching her how to throw.

The honor was made even sweeter by the company she’d be keeping. Her older sister, Kayla Merrill, was inducted in 2023, and the two now stand side by side in Husson’s storied Hall of Fame.

“Being able to share this with my sister is incredibly special,” Merrill said. “We played a big role in each other’s development as players. We were each other’s support system — and we pushed one another to be better. We were always trying to outdo the other in practice, in games, in everything. It made us both stronger.”

Merrill’s impact on the field was immediate and lasting. From 2013 to 2016, she helped the Eagles capture three straight North Atlantic Conference (NAC) championships and make three consecutive NCAA regional appearances.

A three-time NAC All-Conference selection, Merrill earned spots on both all-tournament and regional all-tournament teams, while also taking home the Husson Softball Eagle Award in 2015. In 2016, she became the first player in program history to be named NAC Senior Scholar Athlete and earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors the same year.

Her numbers tell the story of one of Husson’s all-time greats: a .372 career batting average, 167 hits, 36 doubles, 17 triples, and 106 RBIs across four seasons. At the time of her induction, she ranked first in program history in triples and hit-by-pitches, and among the top 10 in nearly every major offensive category.

One memory in particular still stands out vividly for Merrill — a tough game against Bowdoin College that became a turning point.

That trust went both ways. Merrill credits Coach Allen and her father, Terry Hall, for helping her grow into the player she became. “They both played such an influential role in my career,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been the same player without them.”

Merrill admits that the idea of someday joining the Hall of Fame only started to cross her mind recently — when her sister’s induction opened that door.

“When Kayla got inducted in 2023, I started thinking maybe I could get that call one day,” she said. “Our careers were so similar statistically. But really, it came down to all the hours and effort I put in beyond what was required — the extra reps, the extra training, the time spent trying to perfect every part of my game. That’s what made me proud.”

That work ethic, she said, came from her family. “My parents drove us to every travel game, every lesson, every practice. They supported everything we did,” Merrill said. “We were lucky — not everyone gets that.”

“I hope when current players see this induction, they realize that hard work pays off — that anything is achievable if you put your mind to it.”

After earning both her bachelor’s in sport management and MBA from Husson in 2017, Merrill took her drive and competitive spirit into the business world.

Today, she serves as the marketing manager for Hancock Lumber in Casco, Maine, a role she’s held for the past two years. “It’s a little different from my playing days,” she said with a laugh, “but I love what I do.”

Her career path wasn’t a straight line — she began in insurance in Bangor, then transitioned into marketing, including a stint with firearms manufacturer SIG SAUER in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, before finding her home back in Maine. “It’s funny — the lessons I learned in softball still apply every day,” she said. “Teamwork, communication, accountability — all of that translates into the professional world.”

When Merrill looks back on her time in Bangor, she points to Husson’s community as the foundation for her success. “The small class sizes, the professors who knew you by name — that made all the difference,” she said.

She also credits one particular faculty member: “Professor Fabri was one of my favorites. He always pushed me to do more and go after what I wanted,” she said. “He was a big influence, and I hope I get to see him at the ceremony.”

That close-knit community, Merrill said, shaped her both as an athlete and as a person. “Husson taught me that anything is achievable if you work for it,” she said. “It’s a place that doesn’t just prepare you for your career — it helps you grow as a human being.”

As she prepares to take her place among Husson’s legends, Merrill feels nothing but gratitude. “I owe everything to my coaches, my family, and my teammates,” she said. “Amanda Bourgoin recruited me, so I wouldn’t have been at Husson without her. And of course, my parents and my sister — they were with me through every part of the journey.”

Looking ahead to the induction ceremony, Merrill says she’s most excited to reunite with the 2013 softball team — the one that set the standard for Husson’s future success. “I don’t think I’ve seen many of them in years,” she said. “It’ll be amazing to catch up and celebrate together.”

For Lyndsay Merrill, the Hall of Fame is more than a recognition of excellence — it’s a reminder of a journey filled with family, friendship, and pride.