ELMIRA, NY—The Elmira Pioneers took game one of the three-game set at Dunn Field, defeating the Houghton Highlanders, 9-2 on Friday night. 
 
The Pioneers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, scoring two in the first and another in the second before Houghton starter Ned Monthie (Albany, NY, Christian Brothers Academy) put up zeros over the next three innings.
 
After stranding five runners in the first four innings, Houghton finally pushed across a run in the fifth when Tage Johnson (Jamestown, NY, Frewsburg) singled to left field, scoring Michael Knapp (Brockport, NY, Brockport) to cut the lead to 3-1.
 
In the sixth the Pioneers opened up the lead, scoring five runs on three hits, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a crucial Houghton error. 
 
The Highlanders scored again in the seventh on a Bryan Hodge (Thornton, CO, Community Christian) RBI single, and loaded the bases with only one out but failed to trim the lead further.
 
Houghton again left the bases loaded in the ninth.  While the Highlanders pounded out 13 hits on the night, they stranded 15 baserunners.
 
Nick Sampogna picked up the win for the Soaring Eagles, pitching six innings, allowing 10 hits and one walk, while striking out seven.
 
Monthie was credited with the loss for the Highlanders.  Over six innings he allowing four earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.
 
Every Houghton starter collected at least one hit.  Gilligan, Johnson, Hodge and Tim Leathersich (Lima, NY, Lima Christian) each picked up two hits apiece.
 
The Highlanders and Soaring Eagles meet again tomorrow for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.