ORONO, Maine – The No. 21 Husson University softball team dropped a tightly contested non-conference matchup to the University of Maine, 2-1, on Wednesday evening at the Labat Complex.
In a game dominated by strong pitching on both sides, Husson (21-4) was limited to just two hits, while Maine (10-27) capitalized on a pair of key scoring opportunities to secure the victory.
Maine struck first in the bottom of the second inning. After a triple to right center put a runner in scoring position, a stolen base sequence allowed the Black Bears to take a 1-0 lead despite not recording another hit in the frame.
Husson answered in the fourth inning thanks to a solo home run off the bat of senior Emily Dunbar. The blast to left field evened the score at 1-1 and accounted for the Eagles' only run of the contest.
The game remained tied until the fifth inning when Maine regained the lead with a solo home run, making it 2-1. That would prove to be the difference, as Husson was unable to generate offense down the stretch.
The Eagles threatened early in the game, putting runners on base in both the first and third innings. In the opening frame, junior Camryn King was hit by a pitch and advanced to third, while Husson loaded the bases in the third inning with one out, but Maine worked out of both jams to keep Husson off the scoreboard.
Husson also had a chance in the sixth inning when senior Lydia Rice drew a walk, but Maine's pitching closed the door with back-to-back strikeouts to maintain the lead.
Junior Ana Lang delivered a strong performance in the circle for the Eagles despite taking the loss. The right-hander tossed a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out 11 batters and not issuing a walk.
Offensively, Dunbar led the way, going 1-for-3 with the solo home run and Husson's lone RBI. Senior Morgan Tainter added the Eagles' other hit.
Maine's bullpen proved to be the difference, as Ava Zettlemoyer earned the win with three scoreless innings of relief, striking out six and allowing no hits.
The Eagles are back to North Atlantic Conference action on Saturday when they host the University of Maine at Farmington in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
