GORHAM — The sun came out, the temperature rose and the University of Southern Maine bats got really hot Friday.

The Huskies knocked out 33 hits in two games to sweep a Little East Conference doubleheader from Eastern Connecticut State, 14-7 and 11-4, running their winning streak to seven games.

Sam Stauble of USM watches the flight of the ball after taking a swing against Eastern Connecticut State. Stauble had three hits and drove in three runs in the doubleheader as the Huskies improved to 29-11.

The hitting continued a late-season trend for the Huskies, who have scored in double digits in each game in their winning streak.

“That’s a good sign,” said Coach Ed Flaherty. “We’ve been up and down all year with our hitting, but this week we’ve started to swing the bats a lot better.”

USM had 20 hits in the opener, led by Jake Glauser (3 for 5, two runs, four RBI), then had 13 hits in the second game, paced by Nick DiBiase (4 for 5, two doubles four runs, two RBI).

But everyone contributed to the sweep:

Sam Dexter had four hits, three runs and three RBI; Sam Stauble had three hits, three runs and three RBI; Paul McDonough had four hits, two runs and five RBI, hitting a two-run homer in the second game that went out faster than it came in, a hard drive over the left-field fence; and Kyle Heath had three hits in the opener and four overall.

“We’ve been hitting the ball pretty good the last couple of weeks and it carried over to today,” said Dexter. “Sunshine was out and the bats were hot.”

The Huskies entered Friday’s games with a chance to earn first place in the final regular-season LEC standings, but UMass-Boston swept two from Rhode Island College, 5-4 and 8-1, to clinch first.

While the Huskies (29-11) and Beacons (26-12) each finished with a 10-4 conference record, UMass-Boston beat USM twice to earn home field in the tournament that start Wednesday.

“That’s all right,” said Flaherty. “That’s why you play the games. They beat us twice, and there’s nothing wrong with going on the road.

“I’m happy we got to 29 wins. That will keep our at-large bid (for the upcoming NCAA tournament) looking good if we can have a decent (LEC) tournament.”

While the hitting jumps out of the box score, the Huskies got plenty of contributions from their pitchers – especially relievers Dan Kinnon and Ryan Browner, who each pitched in both games – and defense.

The Huskies turned five double plays, including three in the first game. And they seemed to come at big moments.

In the opener, the Warriors had pulled within 9-5 and were threatening when Shyler Scates got out of the inning with a nifty 5-4-3 double play (Brandon Martins to Jake Dexter to McDonough).

Then, in the second game, USM led 6-3 in the top of the fifth when reliever Dan Kinnon induced a 4-6-3 double play – Jake Dexter to Sam Dexter to McDonough – and followed by stranding a runner at third with a strikeout.

In the seventh inning of the second game, Browner came in with USM leading 8-3 but runners on second and third with no outs.

He gave up a sacrifice fly to make it 8-4, then struck out the next two batters.

“Huge inning by Browner there,” said DiBiase, who has been the team’s hottest hitter the last two weeks.

USM had a five-run inning in each game. In the opener, it came in the fourth to make it 8-0, the key hit a two-run single by Glauser.

In the second game, it came in the third to make it 5-0, with McDonough’s home run providing the exclamation point.

“He came inside and I was ready for it,” said McDonough.

All a good sign heading into the postseason, where the Huskies have high hopes.

“You focus a little harder because all the pitchers are going to be a little better,” said Di- Biase. ‘I think we’ll be good.”

“This is where the fun starts,” said Sam Dexter. “Every day you’re going to get each team’s best game. I just can’t wait for the opportunity.”

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