WINTER HAVEN, FL—Despite placing runners in scoring position in each of the final two innings, the Houghton Highlanders could not push across the equalizing run, falling to Concordia-Moorhead for the second straight day, 6-5.
 
The Cobbers struck first, plating two runs in the first after the first three hitters posted a hit-by-pitch, a passed ball and single.
 
In the bottom half, Chris Welch (Denham Springs, LA, Denham Springs) led off with a walk and Joseph Gilligan (Ringwood, NJ, Lakeland Regional) singled to right, but Michael Knapp (Brockport, NY, Brockport) drilled a one hopper at the shortstop who quickly turned a 6-4-3 double-play and Tage Johnson (Jamestown, NY, Frewsburg) flew out to center to end the inning. 
 
Houghton tied the score in the bottom of the second after Bryan Hodge (Thornton, CO, Community Christian) drew a lead-off walk and Garret Kirkpatrick (York, PA, Central York) nailed a one-out triple to deep right-center.  Jens Omdal (Olympia, WA, River Ridge) quickly followed with a ground-out RBI to short.
 
After retiring eight-of-nine batters, Houghton starter Edward Monthie (Albany, NY, Christian Brothers Academy) ran into some more trouble in the fourth.  With nobody out and runners on first and second the Cobbers batter hit a one-hopper at third baseman Timothy Leathersich (Lima, NY, Lima Christian), who quickly fired to sinking throw to Welch at second for an attempted double-play.  Welch straddled the bag and received the throw between his legs, but the umpired claimed that Welch never touched the bag and all Cobber runners were safe. 
 
A pair of fielder's choices and a single would give Concordia three runs and a 5-2 lead.
 
In the bottom of the fifth Houghton struck quickly.  Omdal led off with a single and Leathersich followed with a monstrous homerun to center field, pulling the Highlanders within one. 
 
Concordia scored again in the seventh off reliever Robert Schmidt (Lima, NY, Lima Christian ) and threatened to do more damage before Schmidt worked his way out of a bases loaded jam.
 
Houghton answered in the bottom half of the inning after Welch singled to right, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Knapp drove him in with a single to left.
 
Relief pitcher Lucas Cornell (Almond, NY, Alfred-Almond)—in his first college outing—pitched scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth to keep the Highlanders within striking distance, but Houghton left three runners on base in the final two innings and could not plate the tying run.
 
Knapp finished with his second consecutive two-hit game, and Kirkpatrick added two hits as well. 
 
The Highlanders outhit the Cobbers 10-7 and the two teams drew equal numbers of walks.
 
With inclement weather conditions approaching the Central Florida area tomorrow, the Highlanders have bumped up their game against St. Mary's (MN) to 9:00 a.m.