BANGOR, Maine – The No. 19 Husson University softball team erased an early deficit and used a strong performance in the circle from junior Ana Lang to defeat Thomas College, 7-3, on Friday afternoon in the winner's bracket of the North Atlantic Conference tournament.
Husson (35-4) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning after junior Camryn King walked, stole second and eventually scored on an RBI walk by sophomore Allie Casavant. Thomas (20-19) answered in the bottom half when Megan Oberholzer launched a two-run homer to left center to give the Terriers a 2-1 lead.
The Terriers extended their advantage to 3-1 in the third inning on an RBI double from Maddy Morris, but the Eagles responded in the fourth. Freshman Lilly Snow walked and King was hit by a pitch before freshman Sophia Lynch singled to load the bases. Senior Morgan Tainter then delivered a two-run double to left field to tie the game at 3-3.
Husson took the lead for good in the fifth inning. Casavant singled and later came around to score after a Thomas fielding error following a sacrifice bunt by senior Morgan Curtis, giving the Eagles a 4-3 advantage.
The Eagles added three insurance runs in the sixth inning. Lynch started the rally with a double before Tainter walked. Senior Lydia Rice was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. An error by the Thomas shortstop allowed Lynch to score, Casavant followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Tainter, and freshman Braelynn Wilcox added an RBI groundout to stretch the lead to 7-3.
Lang was dominant after the third inning, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters she faced. The junior tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits and three runs while striking out 11.
Tainter led the offense with a double, two RBIs, two walks and a run scored. Lynch finished 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Casavant drove in two runs and reached base three times. King scored twice and added a stolen base, while Snow scored once and reached base three times.
The Eagles will look to secure an eighth-straight NAC title tomorrow afternoon when they take on #2 Thomas once again in the title game, as Husson will need just one win to secure the title, while the Terriers will need to beat the Eagles twice to earn the championship. Action gets underway tomorrow at O'Keefe Field at 2 p.m.
