COBLESKILL, New York – After falling behind 2-0 early, the Beavers scored a pair in the top of the third inning to knot the game at two apiece. However, Husson University regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning and added three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to roll to a 9-2 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) playoff victory over the University of Maine at Farmington.
How It Happened:
The Eagles struck quickly in the bottom of the first inning after Farmington stranded Melissa Mayo (Bridgton, Maine) on second base to close out the top half. Camryn King led off with a walk, then promptly stole second and third to move just 60 feet away with nobody out. Kiara McLeod lofted a fly ball to straightaway center field, allowing King to tag and score without a play at the plate to give Husson an early 1-0 lead.
Husson doubled its lead in the bottom of the second, once again capitalizing on a walk. Lyndsee Reed drew a one-out walk, stole second, and scored on a single to left by Lexi Volinsky.
Farmington's offense broke through in the top of the third after being limited to just one baserunner in the first two innings. The eight- and nine-hole hitters, Jojo Daigneault (Canton, Conn.) and Emily Collins (Moscow, Maine), ripped back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, putting runners at first and second with the top of the lineup coming to bat. After a strikeout, Mayo squared to bunt as Daigneault and Collins executed a double steal. The throw from the Husson catcher to third sailed into left field, allowing Daigneault to score and cut the lead to 2-1.
After Mayo flew out deep down the left field line, Maddie Pike (Kennebunk, Maine) laced a single to the gap in left-center field to score Collins from second and tie the game at 2-2.
Another walk came back to haunt the Beavers in the bottom of the third. Lydia Rice led off with a walk, stole second, and came around to score on a two-out double by Bulla McCabe, giving the Eagles a 3-2 lead.
Things unraveled for the Beavers in the bottom of the fourth, as two hits and two errors led to three unearned runs. King delivered the big blow with a two-out, two-run single to center to extend the lead to 6-2.
Husson continued to apply pressure in the fifth, as back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out. A sacrifice fly by Reed plated the seventh run, and RBI hits from Tayler Watterson and Rice with two outs extended the advantage to 9-2.
After their big third inning, the Beavers were held to just one hit by Husson starter Sky Johnson—a single by Katie Morse (Dixfield, Maine) to lead off the seventh. Johnson tossed a complete game, scattering five hits while striking out eight to pick up her 13th win of the season.
Mayo took the loss, throwing the first three innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits. Mack Bergen (Winnipeg, Manitoba) pitched the final three innings, giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits.
McCabe finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while Volinsky went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs to lead Husson.
Mayo, Pike, Morse, Daigneault, and Collins each recorded a hit for the Beavers—all singles.
UP NEXT
Due to incoming weather on Friday, games are scheduled to resume on Saturday. The Beavers will take on VTSU Lyndon in a must-win game to start the day. First pitch is set for 9:00 AM.
