WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Husson University softball team remained unbeaten on Monday, earning a pair of victories during play at The Spring Games in Florida, opening the day with a 9–1 five-inning win over Saint Joseph's College (Maine) before defeating Dominican University (Ill.), 3–1, later in the evening.
Husson 9, Saint Joseph's (Maine) 1 (5 innings):
Husson (7-0) struck early and continued to build on its lead throughout the afternoon in a run-rule victory.
The Eagles opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning after junior Camryn King drew a walk, stole second and third, and came home when senior Morgan Tainter reached on a Saint Joseph's (2-2) error to give Husson a 1–0 lead. Later in the inning, senior Emily Dunbar lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score freshman Sydney Carnes, making it 2–0. Senior Tayler Watterson followed with a single and sophomore Allie Casavant delivered an RBI single to right-center that brought home Tainter and pushed the lead to 3–0.
Husson added two more runs in the third inning. Senior Lydia Rice started the rally with a double to left-center before Watterson drove her in with a single up the middle. Senior Morgan Curtis then doubled down the right-field line to score Watterson and extend the lead to 5–0.
Saint Joseph's scored its lone run in the top of the fourth inning on a bunt single by Makayla Quintal that brought home Sadie Tirrell, trimming the lead to 5–1.
The Eagles responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. King tripled to left field and later scored on an RBI groundout by Tainter to make it 6–1.
Husson sealed the run-rule victory in the fifth inning. After Dunbar walked and freshman Braelynn Wilcox entered as a pinch runner, Watterson reached on a fielder's choice and Casavant laid down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a Saint Joseph's error, allowing Wilcox to score. Curtis followed with a single up the middle that drove in both Watterson and Casavant to cap the scoring at 9–1.
Curtis led the Eagles offensively, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a double. Watterson finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Casavant recorded a hit and two RBIs. King scored twice and added a triple.
In the circle, junior Ana Lang tossed a complete-game five-hitter, allowing one run while striking out five to improve to 4-0 on the season.
Husson 3, Dominican (Ill.) 1:
Husson (8-0) used timely power and strong pitching to secure the second victory of the day.
The Eagles took the lead in the top of the second inning. Watterson reached base on an error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Jetta Shook before Casavant launched a two-run home run to left field, the first of her career, putting Husson ahead 2–0.
Dominican (1-7) cut into the lead in the fourth inning when Sara Cornell doubled and later scored on an RBI single by Kailee Diaz Randall to make it 2–1.
Husson added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Watterson singled to left field and later scored when Lang lined an RBI single to left, extending the Eagles' lead to 3–1.
Casavant led Husson offensively with the two-run home run, while Watterson finished with a hit and two runs scored. Freshman Sophia Lynch added a single and two walks, and Lang contributed a key RBI single.
Junior Jazmin Johnson earned the win in the circle after allowing one run on five hits across four innings. Lang entered in relief and tossed three scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out one to earn the save, which set a new career record for the program for most saves, marking the fifth of Lang's career.
The Eagles look to keep their hot start to the season going on Wednesday when they battle No. 24 Belhaven University (Miss.) and Albertus Magnus College at 2:30 and 4:45 p.m.
