WATERVILLE — A ninth-inning rally came up short as the Colby College baseball team fell 7-5 to Trinity in its New England Small College Athletic Conference opener Friday at Coombs Field.

The Mules had the tying run at the plate the ninth inning but managed just one run. Jason Buco paced the Mules by scoring three runs, including a steal of home, and also belted a solo homer, the first of his collegiate career. Colby starter Brady Hesslein struck out five and walked one in seven innings.

Michael Rueger led the Bantams with three hits, including a two-run homer, while teammates Bryan Wolfe, Connor Sullivan and Luke Auger had two hits each. Ben Goldberg picked up the pitching win in relief.

Nik Atsalis doubled and scored for Colby while Nathan Ellis singled in a run. Colby is 7-6 overall and 0-1 in NESCAC play while Trinity jumps to 12-5, 1-0. The teams play a doubleheader at Coombs Field today beginning at noon.

Maine 16, Norfolk St. 5: Fran Whitten doubled three times and singled to lead the Black Bears to the win in the first of a four game series in Norfolk, Va.

Michael Fransoco added two doubles and a single for Maine (8-14) while teammate Alex Calbick singled and homered. Starter Steve Peralslis fanned four in six innings en route to the pitching win.

Softball

Husson 7-10, Colby 3-4: SKowhegan native Becca McCarty struck out four in three innings of work to earn the victory in the opener of a non-conference doubleheader at O’Keefe Field in Bangor. She also had a hit and two RBIs for the Eagles (7-5).

Also for Husson, Maranacook graduate Heidi Shaw went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Meaghan Lewia paced Colby (2-9), going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Ashley Smith went 2 for 3 with an RBI to lead Husson in Game 2. Kody Lyon earned the victory, striking out four in a complete game performance.

Lindsay Peterson went 2 for 4 with two RBIs to lead the Mules.

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