BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University baseball team was on the wrong side of two evenly-matched games on Friday evening, as it fell to Thomas College in North Atlantic Conference play on senior day by scores of 7-4 in 10 innings and 4-3 at the Dr. John W. Winkin Sports Complex.
GAME ONE: Thomas 7, Husson 4 (10 Innings)
Despite a solid first four innings from senior Connor Abood and a 2-0 lead entering the fifth inning, Husson (18-11, 10-1 NAC) was unable to hold-off Thomas (11-17, 7-4 NAC) and suffered its first defeat in NAC play.
The Eagles gained control of their 2-0 lead in the third inning behind an RBI-single from sophomore Matt Holmes and a sacrifice fly from junior Hunter Curtis to give Abood a little breathing room on the mound.
The Terriers were quiet at the plate through the first four innings, as Abood limited them to just one hit and posted eight strikeouts through the first four frames to give Husson the early edge.
Thomas was able to find its rhythm in the visitor-half of the fifth with four runs on five hits to double up the Eagles with a 4-2 lead.
A single and a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded tied the game up before a two-RBI double broke the tie and gave the Terriers their first lead of the game.
Now playing from behind, the Eagles were able to get within one run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI-single from graduate student Akira Warren to plate senior Ryne Rametta.
Holmes tied the game back up for Husson one inning later with a towering home run over the right field fence for his ninth long-ball of the year.
After scoreless eighth and ninth innings, Thomas would have runners on first and third with one out in the first frame of extras and a heads-up play from senior Tanner Evans at third base led to a run-saving tag at home-plate on a fielder's choice to keep the game tied momentarily and pick up the second out of the inning.
Unfortunately for the Eagles a controversial fair ball down the third base line would prove to be the game-winning hit for the Terriers as it plated two runs and drew first-blood for Thomas in extras.
After the Terriers plated another run in the tenth inning on an RBI-single, Husson would go down in order in the home-half of the frame to allow Thomas to come away with the win.
Warren and Holmes led the Eagles with two hits each, while Evans drew two walks and five other Husson players recorded one hit each.
Abood was solid in his seven innings of work on the mound, allowing just one hit and two walks outside of the fifth inning, while juniors Allen Wheaton and Ben Phillips relieved Abood in the later innings.
GAME TWO: Thomas 4, Husson 3
Much like Friday's opener, Husson (18-12, 10-2 NAC) was able to strike first, but a two-run fifth inning from Thomas (11-18, 8-4 NAC) proved to be the difference and allowed the Terriers to sweep the Eagles in a doubleheader for the first time since 2012.
A bases-loaded sacrifice fly from junior Colin Marshall in the bottom of the second got the offense started for the Eagles, as they led 1-0 after two innings.
The Terriers answered in their next turn at the plate with an RBI-single to right-center field to knot the game back up.
Once again, Thomas took a two-run lead in the fifth inning with an RBI-single through the left side and a bases-loaded walk to lead 3-1 after four-and-a-half innings.
Marshall posted his second RBI of the contest in the bottom of the inning with a bases-loaded walk of his own to bring Husson back to within one run.
The Terriers would push their lead back to two in the top of the sixth with another free pass with the bases loaded, but a bloop RBI-single from Holmes in the bottom of the sixth would score Warren and give the Eagles some more life.
Husson got out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh to give itself one final chance, but with a runner on first and one out, a pop fly to second base turned into a game-ending double play for the Terriers.
Sophomore Henry Lausier led the Eagles with three hits in the finale, all of which being of the infield variety, while Warren added two more base-knocks and H. Curtis recorded three walks.
Graduate student Alex Smith took the loss on the mound after firing 4.2 innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits and one walk, while junior Tanner Audyatis, sophomore Wyatt Stevens, freshman Noah Hurd and junior Jack Cote all saw time in relief.
Prior to the start of the games, Husson honored its senior class of Matt Wallingford, Ryan Penney, Evans, Warren, Abood, Tyler Michaud, Jackson Curtis, Rametta, Smith and Justin Salvatore.
The Eagles return to action on Sunday for the final two games of the weekend against the Terriers with first-pitch set for 1 p.m. of game one in Waterville.
