The Houghton College softball team lost 8-7 in game one of the doubleheader against Elmira College and won game two 5-4 earning their first E8 win.

In game one the Soaring Eagles got on the board first scoring a run on two hits in the bottom of the first.

The Highlanders got things going in the second when Bailey Shattell (Syracuse, NY, Faith Heritage) hit a single to right field and then stole second to put herself in scoring position. With two outs in the second Jessica Hayner (Waterford, NY, Shenendehowa) hit a single down the left field line that scored Shattell from second and tie the game up at one run a piece.

In the bottom of the third the Soaring Eagles regained the lead scoring six runs on four hits and taking advantage the Highlander fielding error.

In the next half inning the Highlanders took advantage of Elmira's fielding errors. Executing the first and third play Coach Reece called for.

After a scoreless fifth the Soaring Eagles scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 7-2.

The Highlanders bats woke up in the seventh. Three singles by Sarah Beirne (Port Jervis, NY, Port Jervis), Carolin Strasswimmer (Greenwich, NY, Greenwich/Adirondack CC) and Hayner loaded the bases. Then Gabrielle Brewster (Oneida, NY, Vernon-Verona Sherrill) hit a sac fly to centerfield scoring Beirne from third, and Adrienne Huston (New Waterford, OH, Crestview High School) single through the left side allowed Strasswimmer to score from second. Georgianna Stoj (Depew, NY, Sacred Heart Academy) came up big with two outs with a double that scored two and brought up the Highlanders slugger Morgan York (Canisteo, NY, Canisteo-Greenwood). York hit a double into left center, but she tried to stretch it into a triple and was called out at third to end the game.

York was credited with the loss and Bernardi earned the win for Elmira.

In game two the Highlanders put up a crooked number in the top of the first. Huston led things off with a single, and then Adrean Tiffany (Loweville, NY, Loweville Academy) worked a walk bringing up York again. York roped a single up the middle that scored Huston from second. Beirne followed that up with another single up the middle that scored Stoj. The Highlanders added on two more later in the inning and took a 5-0 lead.

After three scoreless innings the Soaring Eagles finally got on the board in the fifth and sixth innings scoring four runs and making the score 5-4 heading into the seventh.

After the Highanders failed to score any insurance runs the Highlanders were one out away from their first Empire 8 win when an Elmira batter singled up the middle. Then the Soaring Eagles brought in Harper to pinch run who stole second and third putting a runner at third base with two outs in the bottom of the second, but York struck out the Elmira batter to end the game.

Hayner earned the win for the Highlanders and York picked up her first save of the year. Condidorio was handed the loss for the Soaring Eagles.

The Highlanders softball team is back in action Tuesday when they face off against Alfred State College at 3 p.m.