Bangor, ME - In yet another showdown of away games for the Husson Eagles at their home park, the Winking Complex, the Eagles stole a pair of one-run wins on Thursday to stay perfect in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC 12-0).
Game 1: Husson 1, Thomas 0
The Eagles needed a lone run in the third to take game one from the Terriers. Seth Freudenberger, playing third base for the first time this year, led off the inning with a double down the right field line. An out later, Andrew Curran singled to center to send Freudenberger to third who then scored on a following passed ball during Brandon Gendreau's at-bat.
Robert Graff picked up the win with one of Husson's most impressive starts this season, allowing just three hits while striking out six in seven innings. The win makes it Graff's third of the year, tying him with Dan Whitney at 3-0 and improving his ERA to an impressive 2.52.
Isiah Fleming was tagged with the loss for Thomas, moving him to 1-1 on the year. Fleming's lone win came against Husson's opponent this weekend, Castleton.
Game 2: Husson 3, Thomas 2
Scoring was at a premium yet again in game two, with scoring plays coming in quick spurts and Husson taking the lead for good in the fourth.
Michael De Los Santos drove in the lead run for TC in the first as he hit a sac fly to center, scoring Derek Kane. Kane started the game on the bump as well as the designated hitter, and later just DH'd after being taken out at the top of the fifth.
On the Husson side, Christian Corneil uncorked a triple with one out in the top of the fourth. Adam Wilson followed by reaching on a error by centerfielder Anree Benitez who lost the ball in the Winking Complex lighting. Corneil scored easily on the play, but Wilson tried stretching the play into a triple and was cut down by a step or two at third.
The Eagles didn't wait long to break the 1-1 tie, scoring two runs in the top of the fifth to go ahead 3-1. Freudenberger walked, Ryan Rebar reached on a throwing error by the third baseman on a sac bunt attempt and both runners advanced to second and third respectively with the overthrow. On the next play, Andrew Curran sprayed a single to right center to score both Rebar and Freudenberger to take the lead.
In the bottom half of the fifth, the Terriers threatened once again with a leadoff triple by Kane, trying to help his cause after being pulled from the mound. Nik Beeson singled in the next at-bat to score the pitcher/DH, pulling within a run. Tommy Burns finished his outing off strong for Husson, however, retiring the next three batters to get out of the inning.
Corey Mongiat came in for the last two innings and shut down the Terrier offense and ended the game with a fantastic strikeout.
Husson improves to 16-8 and 12-0 in the NAC while Thomas falls to 4-13 and 2-6 in conference play.
The Eagles will return Saturday to the Winkin complex for a weekend four-game set with Castleton. Saturday's tilt will be "Coach John Winkin Day" as the Eagles will recognize their late, great coach with a ceremony at 11:30am before the noon-time first pitch.