BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University baseball team used a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Vermont State University Lyndon, 3-2, in the opening game of the North Atlantic Conference tournament on Thursday afternoon at the Winkin Complex.
After both teams traded runs through the middle innings, Husson (22-16) delivered in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win. Sophomore Trevor Poisson drew a leadoff walk before freshman Andrew Cote entered as a pinch runner. Sophomore Yates Emerson moved Cote into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, and senior Colin Marshall reached on a fielder's choice before stealing second. Freshman Preston Libby then drew a walk to load the bases before senior Cam Rendell lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Cote to score the game-winning run.
Vermont State Lyndon (16-24) opened the scoring in the top of the third inning when Aaron LeFrancois came around to score on an RBI sacrifice fly from Eyon Tembreull. Husson answered in the bottom half of the inning after Emerson reached on an error and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Marshall followed with an RBI single to tie the game before freshman Liam Kelley worked a bases-loaded walk later in the inning to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.
The Hornets tied the contest at 2-2 in the fifth inning as LeFrancois scored on Sean Dunton's sacrifice bunt RBI. Both pitching staffs settled in from there as neither side scored again until the ninth inning.
Sophomore Avery Lawrence turned in a strong start for Husson, allowing two runs on five hits across eight innings while striking out seven batters. Junior Ryan Garner earned the win in relief after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.
Kelley led the Eagles offensively with two hits and an RBI, while Marshall added a hit, RBI, run scored, and stolen base. Senior Hunter Curtis doubled, and Emerson scored twice in the victory.
The Eagles advance to the winner's bracket of the tournament and will face #2 SUNY Cobleskill at 11 a.m. tomorrow with a spot in the NAC title game on the line.
