BANGOR, Maine – The No. 21 Husson University softball team used timely hitting and dominant pitching to sweep a North Atlantic Conference doubleheader from the University of Maine at Farmington on Saturday afternoon at O'Keefe Field, earning a 7-1 win in game one and a 5-0 victory in game two.
Game 1: No. 21 Husson 7, Maine-Farmington 1
Maine-Farmington (7-13, 4-2 NAC) opened the scoring in the top of the first, but Husson (22-4, 5-0 NAC) answered in the bottom of the second. Freshman Jetta Shook doubled to lead off the inning, advanced to third on a passed ball, and came home on an RBI double by sophomore Allie Casavant to tie the game at 1-1.
The Eagles broke the game open in the fifth inning with three runs, all sparked by speed and execution. Junior Camryn King led off with a bunt single, stole second, and moved to third on a bunt single by senior Morgan Curtis, who then stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Senior Morgan Tainter followed with an RBI single that also resulted in an error, allowing King to score and Curtis to move to third. Senior Tayler Watterson then lifted a sacrifice fly to bring Curtis home, and Shook capped the inning with an RBI single to score Tainter and give Husson a 4-1 lead.
Husson added three more runs in the sixth inning. Casavant reached on an error to start the frame, and King followed with a single to put two on. Curtis laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners before Tainter worked a walk to load the bases. Senior Lydia Rice then delivered a two-RBI single up the middle, scoring both Casavant and King, with both runs coming across as unearned. Watterson drew a walk to reload the bases, and Shook added her second RBI single of the game to score Tainter and extend the lead to 7-1.
In the circle, junior Ana Lang was dominant once again, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run on four hits and striking out 12 to pick up her 12th win of the season.
Offensively, Shook led the way with three hits and two RBIs, while King and Curtis each added two hits. Rice finished with two RBIs, and Tainter chipped in two hits and a run driven in.
Game 2: No. 21 Husson 5, Maine-Farmington 0
Husson (23-4, 6-0 NAC) wasted no time in game two, scoring twice in the first inning. King was hit by a pitch, stole second, and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on an RBI single by Rice. During the same sequence, Rice advanced to second on the throw while Tainter moved up and eventually came home on the play, giving Husson a 2-0 lead.
The Eagles added two more runs in the second inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues. Casavant reached on an error and moved into scoring position before freshman Sophia Lynch reached on a dropped fly ball. King followed with an RBI single to score Casavant, and after a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners, Tainter delivered an RBI single to plate Lynch and make it 4-0.
Husson added its final run in the fourth inning when Casavant singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. King then doubled to right field, driving in Casavant to push the lead to 5-0.
In the circle, junior Sierra Yates was excellent, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits and striking out eight.
King led the offense in game two with two hits, two RBIs, and multiple stolen bases, while Rice and Tainter each added an RBI in the win.
Husson will look to continue its strong play as it returns to North Atlantic Conference action on Tuesday for a road doubleheader against Thomas College beginning at 3 p.m.
