BANGOR, Maine – The No. 19 Husson University softball team opened postseason play with a 4-1 victory over the University of Maine-Farmington on Thursday afternoon in North Atlantic Conference Tournament action.
Husson (34-4) received another dominant performance in the circle from junior Ana Lang, who allowed just one hit across 5.1 innings while striking out eight batters. Junior Sierra Yates closed out the final 1.2 innings to earn the save as the Eagles limited the Beavers (15-18) to a single unearned run.
The Eagles jumped in front early in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Morgan Tainter singled with two outs before senior Lydia Rice launched a two-run home run to left field to give Husson a 2-0 advantage.
Husson added another run in the second inning after senior Tayler Watterson drew a walk and later scored on a sacrifice fly from junior Camryn King, extending the lead to 3-0.
UMaine-Farmington broke through in the fifth inning when Jessica Dow scored on a Husson throwing error following a strikeout and passed ball sequence, trimming the deficit to 3-1. The Eagles answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning as King connected on a solo home run to center field to restore the three-run lead.
Rice and King each drove in two runs for Husson, while Tainter, Watterson, and freshman Sophia Lynch all added hits in the win. King and Rice both homered as the Eagles totaled four runs on five hits.
Lang improved to 21-3 on the season with the victory, while Yates secured her first save of the year. Husson pitchers combined for nine strikeouts in the game.
The Eagles will battle #2 Thomas in the winner's bracket tomorrow afternoon with first-pitch set for 1 p.m. at O'Keefe Field.
