BANGOR, Maine – The No. 20 Husson University softball team began play in the NCAA Division III Softball Bangor, Maine Regional on Thursday afternoon as Endicott College rallied for a 7-4 victory over the Eagles at O'Keefe Field.
The Eagles (36-5) struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Senior Morgan Tainter singled with two outs before senior Lydia Rice drove a double into left field to bring home the game's first run and give Husson a 1-0 lead.
Endicott (27-13) answered in the top of the third inning with three runs. Ella Tower delivered a two-run single to right field before Elyse Saccoccio followed with an RBI single to put the Gulls in front, 3-1.
Husson responded with a big fourth inning to regain the lead. Sophomore Allie Casavant drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Morgan Curtis before junior Camryn King singled to put runners on the corners. Freshman Sophia Lynch followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-2, and after a stolen base by Lynch, Tainter ripped a triple to right-center field to score both King and Lynch for a 4-3 Husson advantage.
Junior Ana Lang settled in after the third inning and kept the Eagles in front through the middle innings, retiring Endicott in order in the fifth and working around a walk in the sixth.
The Gulls broke through in the top of the seventh inning. Abby McClaflin led off with a single and later scored alongside Maddie Beeley on a two-run single from Tower to put Endicott back on top, 5-4. After an error extended the inning, Vania Moniz added a two-run double to left field to stretch the lead to 7-4.
Husson tried starting a rally in the bottom of the seventh after Emily Dunbar singled, but Endicott retired the next three hitters to secure the win.
Tainter led the Eagles offensively, finishing 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs, while Lynch went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Rice added a double and an RBI, and King scored once while adding a hit and stolen base.
Lang went the distance in the circle for Husson, striking out six over seven innings.
The Eagles will look to stave off elimination tomorrow when they take on Colby College at 1:30 p.m.
