BANGOR- Colin Marshall bounced into a fielders choice that would allow the game winning run to cross the plate in the sixth inning on Saturday, as Husson won their seventh straight North Atlantic Conference Baseball Championship by defeating Thomas College 4-3 at the Winkin Complex.
The Eagles jumped out to an early first inning lead as Matt Holmes slapped a single to right field and Marshall scored on a throwing error on the same play, while Liam Kelley added a RBI groundout. Holmes made it 3-0 with a RBI groundout of his own in the third. Husson starting pitcher Jacob Love (Messalonskee) kept the Terriers quiet for the first 5.2 innings, before Thomas came alive in the sixth. With two outs, DJ Cagnina (Marshwood), Ajay Rychcik, and Gavin Clark all singled to load the bases before Gus Hollen (Freeport) walked to force in a run and knock Love out of the game. Freshman Blake Littlefield (Brewer) would enter in relief, and would allow a two-run single to Jeremy Spencer that was charged to Love to tie it 3-3. Husson then loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half of the inning, and on a groundball hit by Marshall, Thomas tried to turn the doubleplay but couldn’t allowing Henry Lausier (Thornton) to cross the plate with what was the deciding run. Spencer would reach in the ninth inning for the Terriers with a leadoff single, and would get into scoring position with one out, but Littlefield struckout pinch hitter Bryce Bardwell swinging and retired Hayden Dippner (Mt. Blue) on a flyout to end it.
Cagnina, Rychcik, and Spencer all had two hits a piece for #3 Thomas College. Spencer drove in two runs. Aidan McMahon (0-4) took the loss on the mound allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits in 5.1 innings. The Terriers finish as the runner-up for a second straight season with a record of 20-21. Preston Libby and Liam Kelley both had two hits for Husson. Kelley knocked in another run, as the freshman catcher was named the NAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player (was 5-9 at the plate in the two games with one homerun, two doubles, seven RBI, and two runs scored). Love was charged for three runs in 5.2 innings in the no-decision, while Littlefield (1-1) picked up the pitching win and was solid over the final 3.1 innings giving up no runs on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Holmes picked up another RBI, and for the season is now batting .405 and has 56 RBI in 39 games. The Eagles (24-16) will take a 13 game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament, with the selection show coming up on Monday afternoon.
