Husson Wins Fourth-Straight Softball Crown
Husson Wins Fourth-Straight Softball Crown
Bangor, Maine - Husson needed a pair of wins against the number four seeded Terriers of Thomas College to claim their fourth straight North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Softball Championship, and thanks to solid pitching and some timely hitting, that's exactly what happened as the Eagles defeated Thomas 6-0 and 9-1 on a windy Sunday at O'Keefe Softball Field.
After a quick turn-around, both teams came back for the second game of the day, switching Home and Away designations.
Husson sent McCarty back to the circle for game two, and the right-handed hurler followed up her complete game shutout with another solid performance. McCarty threw a complete five innings, allowing one run (unearned) on two hits and a walk while fanning seven of the 18 batters she faced.
For Thomas, senior pitcher Sara Pavento (Glenburn, Maine) took the ball for game two, earning the loss over a complete game four innings pitched, giving nine runs on as many hits with two walks allowed.
The Eagles mounted nine hits in game two, off the bats of eight different hitters. Overlock was the leading batter in game two, going 2-3 at the dish with three RBI and a run scored. Senior Brianna Webster (Belfast, Maine) drove in two runs while scoring another on a 1-3 performance.
The Terriers were led by Moore once again as she plated her team's only run while going 1-2 out of the lead-off spot. Hachey got the other hit for Thomas while hitting 1-2, and Crowe - who played first base in the second game - was the only other Terrier to reach base in the game, drawing a walk.
Husson got on the board first in the home half of the opening inning as Hill led off the game with a single to third base. A productive out moved Hill to second, and Overlock doubled off the base of the wall in center, plating the game's first run.
Thomas got one back in the third when Moore hit a two-out infield single, and came around to score on Husson error that tied the game at 1-1 after three.
The Eagles broke the game open in the fourth, exploding for eight runs in the home half of the inning. Nicole Sargent (Sullivan, Maine) doubled to left center to lead off the inning, and moved to third on a Mortensen double to right. Kayla Merrill (Bethel, Maine) came in to pinch run for N. Sargent, and was safe on a play at the plate when Hill reached on a fielder's choice that broke the deadlock. L. Sargent hit a single that plated Mortensen, and an intentional walk to Hill brought Webster to the plate with the bases loaded. The senior left fielder ripped a double down the left field line that plated a pair, and Overlock cleared the bases with a triple to right field. Brennan kept the rally going with an RBI ground out to second base, giving Husson the 8-1 lead. Smith singled to left field, and after a pop-out, stole second and came in to score the important run on a throwing error.
Trailing 9-1 in the top of the fifth, the Terriers needed a run to keep the game going. McCarty continued to deal in her 12th inning of work, putting down Thomas in order to give Husson their fourth consecutive North Atlantic Conference Softball Championship.
The Eagles earned the Conference's automatic qualification for the NCAA Tournament, and will await their fate during Monday's NCAA Tournament Selction Show at 10:00 am.
After the game, the NAC All-Tournament team was announced, featuring two players from New England College and Castleton, along with three from NAC Runner-Up Thomas College and three including the Tournament Most Valuable Player from the Champion Eagles.
NAC All-Tournament Team
LiAnn Linck - NEC
Taylor Belsito - NEC
Tori Fearon - Castleton
Shannon Jipner - Castleton
Sara Pavento - Thomas
Samantha Moore - Thomas
Kelsey Crowe - Thomas
Heidi Shaw - Husson
Brianna Webster - Husson
Becca McCarty - Husson - MVP
Husson Downs Thomas 6-0 to Force Decisive Game Seven
Husson Captures Fourth-Straight Softball Title
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Quarterfinals – Tuesday, April 24 at Higher Seed
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(8) Lyndon
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2 |
(1) Husson
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10
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(7) Johnson St.
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0 |
(2) Castleton
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3 |
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(6) Maine-Farmington
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3 |
(3) New England Col.
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5 |
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Quarterfinals – Wednesday, April 25 at Higher Seed
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(5) Maine Maritime
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3 |
(4) Thomas
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6
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NAC Tournament – Hosted by Husson University
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Friday, April 27
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Thomas
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8 |
Husson
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4
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GAME 1
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New England Col.
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3 |
Castleton
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6 |
GAME 2
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Saturday, April 28
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Husson
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13 |
New England Col. |
0
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GAME 3
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Thomas
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3 |
Castleton
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1 |
GAME 4
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| Castleton |
0 |
Husson
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4
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GAME 5
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Sunday, April 29 – If Necessary
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Thomas
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0 |
Husson
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6
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GAME 6
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Thomas
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1 |
Husson
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9 |
GAME 7
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April 28, 2012
Husson Downs NEC in Elimination Game
Thomas Advances to NAC Championship Unscathed
Husson Downs Castleton in Elimination Round, Advances to NAC Championship
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Quarterfinals – Tuesday, April 24 at Higher Seed
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(8) Lyndon
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2 |
(1) Husson
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10
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(7) Johnson St.
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0 |
(2) Castleton
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3 |
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(6) Maine-Farmington
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3 |
(3) New England Col.
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5 |
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Quarterfinals – Wednesday, April 25 at Higher Seed
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(5) Maine Maritime
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3 |
(4) Thomas
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6
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NAC Tournament – Hosted by Husson University
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Friday, April 27
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Thomas
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8 |
Husson
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4
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GAME 1
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New England Col.
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3 |
Castleton
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6 |
GAME 2
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Saturday, April 28
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Husson
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13 |
New England Col. |
0
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GAME 3
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Thomas
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3 |
Castleton
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1 |
GAME 4
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| Castleton |
0 |
Husson
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4
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GAME 5
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Sunday, April 29 – If Necessary
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Thomas
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vs
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Husson
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11 am
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GAME 6
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Game 6 opponents
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1 pm
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GAME 7
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April 27, 2012
Husson Upset by Fourth-Seeded Thomas in Softball Opener
Fearon Leads Castleton to 6-3 Win Over NEC
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Quarterfinals – Tuesday, April 24 at Higher Seed
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(8) Lyndon
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2 |
(1) Husson
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10
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(7) Johnson St.
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0 |
(2) Castleton
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3 |
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(6) Maine-Farmington
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3 |
(3) New England Col.
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5 |
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Quarterfinals – Wednesday, April 25 at Higher Seed
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(5) Maine Maritime
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3 |
(4) Thomas
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6
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NAC Tournament – Hosted by Husson University
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Friday, April 27
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Thomas
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8 |
Husson
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4
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GAME 1
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New England Col.
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3 |
Castleton
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6 |
GAME 2
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Saturday, April 28
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Husson
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vs
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New England Col. |
10 am
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GAME 3
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Thomas
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vs
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Castleton
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12 pm
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GAME 4
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Loser of Game 4
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vs
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Winner of Game 3
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2 pm
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GAME 5
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Sunday, April 29 – If Necessary
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Winner of Game 4
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vs
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Winner of Game 5
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11 am
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GAME 6
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Game 6 opponents
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1 pm
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GAME 7
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April 25, 2012
Top-Seeded Husson Downs Lyndon State 10-2 in Opener
Castleton's Lively Strikes Out 14 in Quarterfinal Win Over Johnson State
New England College Withstands UMF Comeback in Quarterfinal Win
Thomas Downs Maine Maritime to Round Out Tournament Field
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Quarterfinals – Tuesday, April 24 at Higher Seed
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(8) Lyndon
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2 |
(1) Husson
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10
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(7) Johnson St.
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0 |
(2) Castleton
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3 |
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(6) Maine-Farmington
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3 |
(3) New England Col.
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5 |
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Quarterfinals – Wednesday, April 25 at Higher Seed
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(5) Maine Maritime
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3 |
(4) Thomas
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6
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NAC Tournament – Hosted by Husson University
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Friday, April 27
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Thomas
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vs |
Husson
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10 am
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GAME 1
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New England Col.
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vs
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Castleton
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12 pm
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GAME 2
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Loser of Game 1
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vs
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Loser of Game 2
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2 pm
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GAME 3
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Winner of Game 1
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vs
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Winner of Game 2
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4 pm
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GAME 4
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Saturday, April 28
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Loser of Game 4
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vs
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Winner of Game 3
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12 pm
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GAME 5
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Winner of Game 4
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vs
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Winner of Game 5
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2 pm
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GAME 6
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Sunday, April 29 – If Necessary
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Game 6 opponents
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1 pm
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GAME 7
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April 22, 2012
Husson University has earned the top seed in the upcoming North Atlantic Conference Softball Championship. Castleton and Husson finished tied atop the regular season standings with identical 15-1 marks and after using pre-determined tie-breaking procedures the Eagles have earned the number-one seed.
Winners of three-straight NAC titles, Husson finished the regular season at 27-9 overall, and 15-1 in conference play and will host eight-seeded Lyndon (11-23, 3-13) in a quarterfinal match up Tuesday. Castleton earned the second seed at 20-14, 15-1 and will host seventh-seeded Johnson State (9-24-1, 3-12-1) Tuesday.
Third-seeded New England College (19-17, 11-5) will host University of Maine at Farmington (10-20, 6-10) which earned the sixth seed, while fourth-seeded Thomas (12-23-1, 9-6-1) will host fifth-seeded Maine Maritime(14-14, 7-9) in quaretrfinal action Tuesday.
First round winners will advance to the highest remaing seed for a double-elimination tournament with contests beginning Friday, April 27.
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Quarterfinals – Tuesday, April 24 at Higher Seed
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(8) Lyndon
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at
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(1) Husson
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3 pm
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(7) Johnson St.
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at
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(2) Castleton
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4 pm
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(6) Maine-Farmington
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at
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(3) New England Col.
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4 pm
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(5) Maine Maritime
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at
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(4) Thomas
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Postponed
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Quarterfinals – Wednesday, April 25 at Higher Seed
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(5) Maine Maritime
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at
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(4) Thomas
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4 pm
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NAC Tournament – Hosted by Highest Remaining Seed
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Friday, April 27
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Maine Maritime/Thomas
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vs
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Lyndon/Husson
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10 am
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GAME 1
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UMF/New England Col.
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vs
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Johnson St./Castleton
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12 pm
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GAME 2
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Loser of Game 1
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vs
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Loser of Game 2
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2 pm
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GAME 3
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Winner of Game 1
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vs
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Winner of Game 2
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4 pm
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GAME 4
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Saturday, April 28
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Loser of Game 4
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vs
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Winner of Game 3
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12 pm
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GAME 5
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Winner of Game 4
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vs
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Winner of Game 5
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2 pm
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GAME 6
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Sunday, April 29 – If Necessary
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Game 6 opponents
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1 pm
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GAME 7
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The top eight teams qualify for the NAC Championship. Predetermined tiebreaking procedures were used to seed teams. Game times are subject to change. The NAC Champion receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championship.