WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Husson University softball team split an afternoon doubleheader at the Spring Games on Wednesday, as it started the day with a 6-2 loss to the University of Mount Union, before defeating No. 18 Calvin University 2-1 to conclude the day.
Mount Union 6, Husson 2:
A costly dropped foul ball with two outs in the first inning proved to be costly for Husson (4-5), as Mount Union (6-2) took advantage and struck for four unearned runs in the frame and was able to hold off the Eagles to earn the win.
A two-RBI single to left-center, followed two batters later by a two-RBI double to left-center gave the Purple Raiders a huge edge after one frame.
Mount Union added another run onto its lead in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI-double to left field to hold a 5-0 lead after four innings.
Husson was able to get on the board in the fifth inning after being kept quiet for a while, as senior Tatyanna Biamby provided an RBI-groundout to score junior Jordan Lambert, as the Eagles trailed 5-1 after the top of the fifth.
The Eagles shaved another run off of the deficit in the following inning, as senior Kiara McLeod posted an RBI-single with two runners on to plate freshman Allie Casavant.
Mount Union concluded the scoring in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly to right field to wrap up its sixth win of the year.
Sophomore Camryn King and senior Bulla McCabe provided four of the eight hits in the game for Husson, as King also recorded a stolen base.
Sophomore Ana Lang pitched four innings and gave up seven hits, two walks and five runs (one earned), while graduate student Sky Johnson completed the final two frames, allowing two hits, one walk and one earned run, while striking out three.
Husson 2, No. 18 Calvin 1:
In a battle between two starting pitchers, it was a two-run sixth inning for Husson (5-5) that proved to be the difference, as the Eagles concluded their second-straight one-run victory over Calvin (5-4).
After the two teams combined for just one runner in scoring position in the first five-and-a-half innings of play, an RBI-single from McCabe in the home-half of the sixth plated the game's first run to put the Eagles on top.
Husson would double its lead later on in the inning on a sacrifice fly from junior Lexi Volinsky which scored sophomore Lyndsee Reed to take a 2-0 edge into the final turn at-bat for Calvin.
The Knights were able to get within one on an RBI-single with two outs, but the strong pitching on Johnson allowed the Eagles to hang on.
In a game where Husson was doubled-up in hits 8-4 by Calvin, the third win of the season for Johnson was the real story.
Despite allowing eight hits and one walk, Johnson managed to limit the Knights to just one run in the contest, while also striking out five in the victory.
Husson will look to continue its winning ways tomorrow when it battles Ithaca College and Regis College at 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. respectively.
