CLERMONT, Fla. -- Houghton softball opened the 2016 campaign by splitting a doubleheader with Johnson State (Vt.) on Tuesday in Clermont, Fla.
The Highlanders lost the opener 3-1 but took the nightcap 9-4.
In game one, Houghton first in the second when
Tanya Hatton (Greene, NY , Afton ) walked and came home on sac fly to right by
Alishia Foss (Medina, NY , Medina). Johnson State scored once in the fourth to tie the score and added two more runs in the fifth to claim the win.
Bailey Shattell (Syracuse, NY, Faith Heritage ),
Toni Kling (Wellsville, NY, Wellsville ) and
Taylor Sile (Hilton, NY, Hilton ) each picked up singles at the plate. Sile was strong on the mound in her first career start, allowing just one earned run on five hits over seven innings.The freshman struck out eight and walked four.
The Highlander bats came alive in the second game. After scoring once in the third, Houghton added four runs in the fourth and put single runs across the plate in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Johnson State scored three times in the fifth and once in the seventh.
Shattell had a monster game, finishing 3-for-4 at plate with a double, triple, four RBI and three runs scored. She added three stolen bases.
Katelyn Cook (Clifton Park, NY , Shenendehowa ) also produced three hits as the Highlanders finished with 13 base knocks in the game. Two freshman split time on the mound, spreading six hits over seven innings.
Kaylee Jentsch (Orchard Park, NY, Orchard Park ) started and went 4.2 with four strikeouts while allowing three runs on four hits. Hatton came on in relief, striking out five batters and allowing one run and two hits over 2.1 innings.
The Highlanders are back in action Wednesday with two games, taking on Johnson State again at 9 a.m., followed by a matchup with Concordia (Minn.) at 11 a.m.
Video of all the games is available for a fee.
