Thomas-Husson collide in NAC softball tourney Lasell, UM-Farmington also set to square off today

The Husson College of Bangor, UMaine-Farmington and Thomas College of Waterville softball teams have all advanced to the North Atlantic Conference playoffs which start this afternoon.

Lasell College of Newton, Mass., earned the No. 1 seed in the conference’s East division with an 8-2 league record, 24-8 overall, followed by No. 2 Thomas (8-2, 16-13), No. 3 Husson (6-4, 17-13) and No. 4 UMF (6-4, 14-11).

The Lasers will host the Beavers at 3 p.m. and the Eagles travel to Waterville for a 4 p.m. game against Thomas. Wednesday’s games are single-elimination, with the winners advancing to a double-elimination tournament along with the West Division survivors this weekend.

In the West division, No. 1 Elms will face No. 4 Mount Ida and No. 2 Castleton State will square off against No. 3 Becker.

Elms (23-7, 12-0) was the top vote-getter in the most recent NAC coaches poll, followed by Thomas and Husson.

Thomas won the NAC championship last year and Husson was the runner-up.

Thomas and Husson last met April 13 for a doubleheader. The Eagles won the first game 3-2 and the Terriers took the second game 8-0.

Top hitters for Thomas include catcher Kayla Beaudoin, who is hitting .372 with 11 doubles and 14 RBIs. Infielder Jen Lane has a .338 average with 19 RBIs and infielder Kim Denbow is hitting .281 with eight RBIs.

Terrier pitcher Nicole Smith has a 1.57 earned-run average with a 6-5 record, including 49 strikeouts and 12 walks 71 1/3 innings. Joy Ireland (6-4) has a 2.39 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings. She has walked 31.

Husson is led by catcher Shawna Bell (.357, 20 runs scored, 10 doubles, 11 RBIs), shortstop Carolyn McAvoy (.354, 8 doubles, 9 RBIs), and infielder Nicole Manzo (.288, 12 RBIs).

The Eagles’ top pitchers include Alicia Lagrange and Taralee Webster. Lagrange (2-3), has a 3.56 ERA and has 14 strikeouts and seven walks in 41 1/3 innings. Webster (3-3) has an ERA of 4.29 with 24 strikeouts and 19 walks in 45 2/3 innings. She has given up 57 hits.

UMF’s offensive leaders include first baseman Mary Berry (.389, 8 doubles, 14 RBIs), outfielder Kristi Cochin (.346, 11 RBIs) and outfielder Brandi Rideout (.311, 7 doubles, 13 RBIs).

The Beavers’ fine pitching corps is led by Stephanie Moriarty, who is 9-4 with a 1.40 ERA. She’s given up just 59 hits and nine walks in 75 innings while striking out 81.