LEWISTON, Maine -- The visiting Husson University Eagles scored twice in the first inning and never looked back, defeating the Bates baseball team 11-3 Wednesday afternoon at Leahey Field.

The Bobcats (11-15) actually tallied more hits than the Eagles (18-10) in the contest, with 10 to Husson's nine. But 10 walks and four hit-by-pitches cost the Bates pitching staff in this one. Akira Warren got hit by a pitch leading off the game, setting the unfortunate tone for the afternoon. One out later, Husson slugger Jackson Curtis hit a towering drive to left that just cleared the fence over the glove of a leaping junior Jack Margiloff (Rye, N.Y.) for a two-run home run. 

Bates starting pitcher senior Christopher McGrail (Dedham, Mass.) worked a scoreless second inning before running into trouble in the third. A lead-off walk followed by a Curtis double set up Matt Holmes for a sacrifice fly. Curtis advanced to third on the play and scored later on a wild pitch for a 4-0 Husson lead.

The Eagles continued to add to the advantage throughout the contest, while the Bobcats struggled to take advantage of scoring opportunities. They finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out rally. First-year Max Dushney (Ashland, Mass.) got things going with a single to center. Then senior Ben Gesmondi (Narragansett, R.I.) launched his second home run in as many days, a two-run shot out to left. Junior Joe Yoxall (Dallas, Texas) followed with a single and sophomore Keagan Ryan (Salem, N.H.) got hit by a pitch. Margiloff singled in Yoxall for the third run of the inning. But Husson reliever Noah Hurd (1-0) struck out the next batter to end the inning.  

Hurd then retired six more in a row to shut down any chance of a Bates comeback. The Bobcats blanked Husson over the final three innings but by then the damage had been done. 

Senior Matthew Shrake (Chicago, Ill.) tossed an inning and a third of scoreless ball, first-year Nolan Bibbo (Wellesley, Mass.) was excellent in his one inning of relief, striking out two. And first-year Charlie Cariello (Bedford, N.H.) fanned three while working around some trouble in a scoreless ninth. 

Curtis finished 3-6 with two home runs, a double, and four RBIs for the visitors. Dushney was 3-4 at the plate with a run scored for Bates. Margiloff added a pair of hits and Gesmondi was 2-4 with two RBIs.

The Bobcats return to NESCAC East action when they host Trinity Thursday at 3 p.m.