CASTLETON, Vt. – May 3, 2013 - Second seed Husson strung together some clutch hits in the bottom of the eighth inning to score a run and then held on for a 1-0 victory over third seed Colby-Sawyer on Friday afternoon in the second game of the North Atlantic Conference Championship Tournament.

BOX SCORE

The Eagles notched three consecutive singles against Charger ace Kevin Keith in the eighth, after he allowed just three in the first seven innings. Husson improves to 24-17 with the victory while Colby-Sawyer drops to 19-19.

Cody McInnis had two of Husson's six hits and scored the game-winning run while Brandon Reilly improved to 5-3 on the season with the complete-game shutout. Reilly went 9.0 innings and allowed eight hits while striking out five and walking a single batter.

The Chargers threatened in the first, as a double steal put runners on second and third with two outs. However, Reilly induced a groundout to short to end the inning. 

No runners reached third until Colby-Sawyer threatened again in the top of the seventh. Kyle Greenwood reached on a fielding error with one out, stole second and moved to third on a groundout. However, he was stranded as a strikeout ended the frame.

In the bottom of the eighth, McInnis singled to center field with one out and Pat Thibodeau followed with a single through the right side. After a flyout, Shawn Smith laced the first pitch he saw through the right side, and McInnis made it all the way home from second to give Husson the 1-0 advantage.

Reilly came on to close it out in the top of the ninth but gave up a leadoff single to Sean Gavin. He then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. On a dropped strike call, Gavin made a play for third but was ruled out sliding into the bag on the throw down from catcher Jordan Carter. Reilly retired the final batter of the game to secure the win.

Keith took the loss as his record dropped to 8-2 on the season. He went 8.0 innings and allowed the six hits, while giving up one run with four strikeouts and a walk. Sean Gavin had a pair of hits to lead the Charger offense.

Colby-Sawyer will play tournament host and top seed Castleton in a win-or-go-home game on Saturday morning at 9 am. Husson advances to face Thomas at 12 pm, as the Terrier beat the Spartans 12-6 on Friday. Games can be seen live at www.nsnsports.net


--Courtesy of Castleton