PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Husson University baseball team earned a North Atlantic Conference doubleheader sweep over the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Saturday afternoon at the James E. Dyer Field, taking game one 5-1 before holding on for a 9-6 victory in the nightcap to improve to 19-16 on the season.
Game 1: Husson 5, UMaine-Presque Isle 1
In the opener, Husson (18-16, 16-5 NAC) used timely hitting and strong pitching to pull away after a brief tie. The Eagles struck first in the third inning when senior Colin Marshall launched a solo home run to center field to give Husson a 1-0 lead. Presque Isle (9-23, 5-16 NAC) answered in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run to even the score at 1-1.
Husson regained the lead in the fourth inning without recording a hit, capitalizing on defensive miscues. Senior Hunter Curtis and junior Henry Lausier both reached and advanced into scoring position before Marshall reached on an error, allowing both runners to score and make it 3-1.
The Eagles added insurance in the sixth inning. Lausier led off with a single and later scored alongside freshman John Hanlon on a two-run single from Marshall, extending the lead to 5-1.
Marshall paced the offense with three hits and three RBIs, while Lausier added a multi-hit performance and scored twice.
On the mound, sophomore Avery Lawrence was dominant, allowing just one hit and one run over five innings while striking out eight. Sophomores Noah Hurd and Michael Skowrwon combined for four scoreless innings in relief to secure the win .
Game 2: Husson 9, UMaine-Presque Isle 6
In game two, Husson (19-16, 17-5 NAC) once again relied on a balanced offensive attack and key late-inning execution to complete the sweep.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Eagles responded with three runs in the second. Curtis reached base to spark the rally, and after a series of walks loaded the bases, Marshall brought in a run with a sacrifice fly. Lausier later scored on a wild pitch before another run came across on an error to give Husson a 3-1 lead.
Husson added to its advantage in the fourth inning when senior Joe Hamelin delivered an RBI single to score Lausier, pushing the lead to 4-1.
Presque Isle (9-24, 5-17 NAC) answered with a four-run fourth inning to briefly take a 5-4 lead, highlighted by a two-run double and a bases-loaded walk.
The Eagles responded immediately in the fifth inning with a decisive rally. Curtis doubled home a run to tie the game before Lausier delivered a two-run single to give Husson the lead. Hanlon followed with an RBI single to cap a four-run inning and make it 8-5.
Husson added one final insurance run in the seventh inning when Hanlon doubled down the left field line to bring home Lausier, extending the lead to 9-5.
Lausier led the offense with a standout performance, going 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two RBIs, while Curtis added two hits and two runs scored. Hanlon contributed two hits and drove in three runs, and Marshall added an RBI.
On the mound, sophomore Ryan Wall earned the win in relief, tossing 2.2 innings while allowing just one run. Junior Ryan Garner closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning to earn the save and secure the sweep.
The Eagles close out the regular season tomorrow afternoon with another doubleheader against the Owls, as the games have been moved to the Winkin Complex in Bangor due to predicted bad weather in the area tomorrow, with action getting underway at 1 p.m.
