Hussons Nick Guerrette awaits a pitch from Thomas College pitcher Cody Cousins during the NAC baseball championship game at Husson University on Sunday, May 5, 2019. Photo by Chris Lessner (click to enlarge)
BANGOR, Maine- The Husson Eagles got a solid six innings on the mound from Ryan Allender, and timely RBI hits from Ethan Stoddard and David Leblanc Sunday afternoon, to capture the North Atlantic Conference baseball title with a 3-1 win over Thomas College at the Winkin Complex.
The Terriers came out fast and put the first two men on base in the top of the first. Roberto Duran drove home the games first run with an RBI groundout to shortstop to make it 1-0 Thomas. Connor McGuire led off the Husson first with a single, but was erased when Kobe Rogerson grounded into a double play. Leblanc though hit a two out double, and Stoddard followed with an RBI triple to make it 1-1.
The difference in the game was the bottom of the third inning with the score still even 1-1. McGuire led off with another single. Rogerson then bunted to try to sacrifice, but the throw by Thomas catcher Connor Rittenhouse was wide of first allowing McGuire to score. Rogerson advanced all the way to third base on the error. Leblanc then finished off the scoring on the day by driving in Rogerson with an RBI single.
Thomas College had a few chances to get back into the game including two men on and one out in the fourth, and then a bases loaded opportunity in the seventh with two outs but couldn’t come up with anything. Rittenhouse had two hits for the Terriers, and Cody Cousins (1-4) was the tough luck loser allowing three runs (just one earned) and seven hits over 3.2 innings. Quinton Stebbins and Darren Kelly did an outstanding job out of the Terriers bullpen allowing no runs and one hit over the final 4.1 innings. Thomas finishes their season with an overall record of 14-24.
Husson got two hits each from McGuire, Leblanc, and Alex Chapman. Allender (4-3) allowed one run (none earned) on four hits in the solid 6.0 inning effort. The senior right hander from Rockland, Maine walked three and struck out four. Nolan Dousa got his fifth save with a perfect ninth striking out two. The arms of Ben Bernier, Jacob Gauvin, and Dousa only allowed two hits in relief of Allender over the final three innings. Leblanc joined Rogerson, McGuire, and Jesse Colford on the all tournament team for the weekend. Leblanc earned the MVP.
Hussons Kobe Rogerson watches a pitch from Thomas pitcher Cody Cousins sail outside during action on Sunday, May 5, 2019 in the NAC title game in Bangor. Photo by Chris Lessner (click to enlarge)
Husson is now 26-14 and will host Baruch University (15-17), champions of the CUNYAC next Friday, Saturday and if neccessary Sunday in a best of three series with the winner advancing to the 2019 NCAA Division III national tournament. The Eagles enter next Fridays matchup having now won 10 games in a row. This is the first NAC title for Husson since 2013.
