Bangor, ME - It was Senior night at the Winkin Complex as eight Husson Seniors were honored before game 1 of a double header against Colby College. The Eagles ended the season strong winning both games against the Mules. The wins finish the Eagle's regular season at 24-13, and will be the 2nd seed in the NAC Tournament this weekend.
Game 1- Husson 4, Colby 1
The Eagles had control throughout game 1, getting a lead by capitalizing on Colby College errors, and never looking back. Action started with the first batter, when after walking, Eagle's star Dylan Foster (Oakland, ME) reached third base on a wild pickoff attempt, and scored the same at bat on a wild pitch. Zach Yates (Newport, RI) singled up the middle next, and eventually scored on a Dennis Meehan (Gardiner, ME) singled with 2 outs in the inning to gain a 2-0 lead.
Despite only lasting 3 1/3 innings Husson Starter Zach Kochis (Old Towne, ME) was solid in his first start for the Eagles giving up 1 Earned Run on two hits, but not coming away with the decision. Eagle relievers were clutch in relief, preserving the two run lead left by Kochis. Ben Holmes (Dixfield, ME) came in and went 2 2/3 innings giving up 0 runs on 0 hits ultimately coming away the win improving to 1-1, and Ryan Rebar (Harmony, ME) got his second save shutting the Mules down in the 7th.
Colby College was unable to do much offensively in game one, only getting 1 run on 3 hit. Starting pitcher James Connelly (North Attleboro, MA) pitched 6 innings for the Mules giving up 4 ER on 3 walks and 3 strikeouts, being out pitched by the efforts of four Husson pitchers falling to 1-1.
Game 2- Husson 4, Colby 3 (11 Innings)
After blowing a 2-0 lead the Eagles were down by 1 in the bottom of the 6, but not for long. Lead off hitter Meehan was able to reached first on an error by the shortstop. After a passed ball and a sac bunt Meehan easily reached third, and eventually scored on a clutch two strike squeeze bunt by Seth Freudenberger (Bangor, ME) to tie the contest at 3.
It was a relief pitching duel that kept the game close, finishing regulation and going into extras. Ben Walls (Bar Harbor, ME) came in for the Eagles in the 7th ultimately going 5 scoreless innings on 5 hits, giving the Eagles multiple chances to take the victory. For the Mules Daniel Csaplar (Winchester, MA) was dealing, giving up 1 hit in 6 innings of relief after coming into pitch in the bottom of the fifth. Due to manager Dale Plummer being ejected earlier in the game, it was up to assistant coaches Tom Dexter and Chappy Nelson to decide on whether to keep Csaplar in the game, in the end choosing Lucas Geoghegan (Boston, MA) to pitch the 11th instead.
The decision was a quick dissapointment, as Geoghegan walked Freudenberger to start the inning, and allowed runners on second and third after a wild throw to first while trying to retire Cody McInnis (Bangor, ME) on a bunt attempt. After walking Dylan Foster to load the bases, and with Brandon Gendreau (Brewer, ME) up to bat, Geoghegan threw a ball passed the catcher scoring Freudenberger from third to give the Eagles an extra inning win. Geoghegan ended with the loss falling to 2-2, as Walls came away with the win, improving to 3-1 on the season. After finishing second in the NAC, the Eagles will start their championship run on Friday.