BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University baseball team swept a North Atlantic Conference doubleheader from Lesley University on Friday evening at the Winkin Complex, taking game one 7-4 before completing the sweep with a 3-1 victory in the nightcap.
Game 1: Husson 7, Lesley 4
Husson (4-9, 3-2 NAC) struck first in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on timely hitting to build an early 3-0 advantage. Freshman Preston Libby got things started with an RBI single before sophomore Trevor Poisson followed with a run-scoring double. Sophomore Yates Emerson capped the inning with an RBI single to give the Eagles early momentum.
Lesley (7-11, 4-5 NAC) chipped away with a run in the fourth inning before taking the lead in the fifth. After putting multiple runners on, Lesley used a wild pitch and a two-RBI single to jump ahead 4-3.
The Eagles responded immediately in the bottom half of the fifth. With two runners on, senior Hunter Curtis delivered a clutch two-run double down the left field line to put Husson back in front, 5-4.
Husson added insurance in the sixth inning when Emerson drove in a run with another single, and the Eagles tacked on one more in the eighth as Emerson came through again with an RBI base hit to extend the lead to 7-4.
Emerson led the offensive effort with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, driving in three runs. Curtis added two RBIs on his key extra-base hit, while Libby and Poisson each contributed RBI hits in the win.
On the mound, sophomore Chris Lusignan got the start, working four innings. Freshman Max Hopkins earned the win in relief, tossing three innings while allowing just one run and striking out three. Sophomore Noah Hurd closed the door with two scoreless innings, striking out three to secure the save.
Game 2: Husson 3, Lesley 1
The nightcap featured a strong pitching performance and timely hitting from the Eagles (5-9, 4-2 NAC).
After a scoreless first two innings, Husson broke through in the third. With runners on base, junior Matt Holmes lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home the game's first run and give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Lesley (7-12, 4-6 NAC) answered in the fifth to tie the game at 1-1, but Husson quickly regained control in the bottom of the inning. The Eagles loaded the bases with a series of singles and walks before Holmes came through again, this time delivering a two-run single to right field to put Husson back in front, 3-1.
From there, the Husson pitching staff took over. Junior Jacob Love earned the win with six strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out six. Junior Ryan Garner came on in the seventh and shut the door, striking out two to earn the save, his second of the season.
Holmes led the offense in game two with three RBIs, while Curtis and junior Henry Lausier each recorded multiple hits. Senior Cam Rendell scored twice and reached base three times to help pace the Eagles.
Husson looks to pick up the series win tomorrow with another doubleheader against the Lynx beginning at 1 p.m. at the Winkin Complex.
