HOUGHTON, NY—Defensive woes left their mark on the Houghton Highlanders as they gave up five early runs to the Stevens Ducks—four of which were unearned—and could not climb out of the hole.
 
Houghton was credited with four defensive errors on the night and the Ducks made them pay.  Once on the basepaths Stevens swiped five bases.
 
Highlanders' starter Ned Monthie (Albany, NY, Christian Brothers Academy) allowed only five hits over seven innings but walked four and hit two. 
 
Down 6-0 in the sixth, the Highlanders finally strung together some quality at bats.  A Joseph Gilligan (Ringwood, NJ, Lakeland Regional) single to center, a walk by Chris Welch (Denham Springs, LA, Denham Springs), and a single to right by Michael Knapp (Brockport, NY, Brockport) loaded the bases with two outs for Tage Johnson (Jamestown, NY, Frewsburg).  Johnson crushed a 2-1 offering over the rightfielder's head to clear the bases and cut the lead in half.
 
That, however, was as close as the Highlanders would come. 
 
Johnson pitched the final two innings of the game for the Highlanders, allowing only one hit—a squeeze play bunt single—and struck out two batters.
 
The Highlanders and Ducks return to action tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. for the final two games of the series at the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex.  Houghton will honor their six seniors prior to the first game.