BANGOR- A sixth inning error would be enough to send Husson University past SUNY Poly 4-3 in the North Atlantic Conference Softball Championship game on Saturday afternoon at O’Keefe Field. The tournament championship is the sixth in a row for the Eagles.
Husson took the lead and looked to be cruising behind starting pitcher Danielle Masterson. The Eagles opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Kiara McLeod hit an RBI triple down the rightfield line scoring pinch runner Lyndsee Reed.
They added to their advantage in the fourth inning. Julia Gregiore led off with a single to center, and would be pinch run for by Camryn King. King stole second, and would come across the plate on a Josie Cornell single. McLeod made it 3-0 with her second RBI of the day on a double to left center. Masterson meanwhile was doing her thing, as she was perfect through her first 4.0 innings of work in the circle.
SUNY Poly had a pair of singles in the fifth, but couldn’t score. The Wildcats, who needed a win to force a second game, would come alive in the sixth. Kaitlyn Findlay and Taylor Hunter led off with singles, and Ava Faragon grounded out to shortstop that moved the runners up to second and third. With two outs, Kimberly Birmingham singled in a run to end the day for Masterson. Ana Lang was greeted by a two-run double to centerfield by Jadyn Childers as SUNY Poly evened the score 3-3 with all three runs charged to Masterson. Husson was able to produce the game winner on an error in the bottom of the frame. McLeod led off with another double, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lydia Rice. Katie Raymond then laid down another bunt, and Wildcats pitcher Trinity Critelli came home to cut down McLeod who was tagged out at the plate. Raymond then tried to advance to second, and the throw by the catcher Childers went wildly into a vacated centerfield as the centerfielder had gone to cover second base and Raymond came all the way around to score the unearned run.
Lang struckout the side all swinging in the top of the seventh inning to end it.
McLeod had three hits and two RBI to lead the way in the Husson win. Masterson got a no-decision allowing three runs on five hits with no walks and 11 strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Lang (18-2) picked up the victory giving up just one hit and striking out four in the final 1.1 innings of relief. Childers had two hits and two RBI in the defeat for West Division Champion SUNY Poly. Critelli (16-6) suffered the loss in the circle giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits with four walks and eight strikeouts on 6.0 innings. The Wildcats season ends with a record of 26-10.
Husson is now 35-4, extending the win streak to 30 in a row. The Eagles, who are ranked #20 in the country, outscored their two opponents in the NAC postseason 34-4. They’ll find out their opponent, location, and time for the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament on Monday at 11 a.m. during the selection show. Husson has gone 3-10 in the NCAA Tournament in their previous five trips. Kenzie Dore also took home the MVP of the NAC Tournament. The senior third baseman out of Holden, Maine (Brewer High School) had 10 plate appearances and hit four homeruns, a triple, walked three times, scored four runs, and had 12 RBI.
Recap/photos/videos by Chris Lessner
