WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Husson University softball team opened its season and trip to Florida with a pair of victories on Friday at the DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, sweeping a non-conference doubleheader, defeating Marian University (Wis.), 2–0, in the opener before topping Norwich University, 9–1, in five innings in the second game.
Husson 2, Marian (Wis.) 0:
Husson (1-0) began the day with a tightly contested pitching duel against Marian (3-6). The Eagles struck first in the top of the opening inning when freshman Sydney Carnes reached base and later scored on an RBI double from senior Lydia Rice, giving Husson an early 1–0 lead.
The Eagles added an insurance run in the third inning when Carnes once again came around to score on Rice's second RBI double of the game, extending the lead to 2–0.
Rice paced the Husson offense in the opener with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, recording two doubles and driving in both runs. Carnes scored both Husson runs, while senior Morgan Curtis doubled and senior Emily Dunbar added a hit as the Eagles finished with six hits in the game.
Junior Ana Lang was dominant in the circle for the Eagles, tossing a complete-game shutout. The right-hander allowed just three hits while striking out 12 batters over seven innings without issuing a walk.
Husson 9, Norwich 1 (5 Innings):
Husson (2-0) carried that momentum into the second game against Norwich and broke the contest open offensively. The Eagles scored nine runs on seven hits in the five-inning victory.
Norwich (4-4) briefly took a 1–0 lead in the top of the third inning, but Husson answered quickly in the bottom half of the frame and then pulled away with a big fourth inning. The Eagles took advantage of walks and defensive miscues while stringing together timely hits to plate multiple runs and seize control of the game before adding additional insurance to trigger the run rule in the fifth.
Junior Camryn King, senior Morgan Tainter, Rice, Dunbar, Curtis, freshman Liv Noyes and sophomore Allie Casavant each recorded hits for Husson in the victory. Tainter and Rice both scored two runs, while King, Dunbar, Curtis, freshmen Sophia Lynch and Lilly Snow each crossed the plate once.
Junior Sierra Yates earned the win in the circle for the Eagles, tossing a complete-game five-hitter. The right-hander allowed just two hits and one run while striking out three batters over five innings of work.
Husson returns to action tomorrow for another double-dip, beginning with a clash against Kean University at 1:45 p.m., before a date with Gordon College at 4 p.m. ends the day.
