HOBOKEN, NJ—The Stevens Ducks scored a pair of runs in four separate innings, defeating the visiting Houghton Highlanders in the opening game of the three-game series, 8-3.
 
The Ducks received a solid outing from starting pitcher Quinn DiPasquale, who allowed only two hits over six innings while striking out nine.
 
Houghton threatened throughout, but stranded 10 runners in the game.
 
In the eighth the Highlanders began to break through.  Tage Johnson singled home Nicholas Melchiore and Taylor Huntsman scored on a diving error by the centerfielder, trimming the lead to five runs.
 
After Brandon Joslin tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth the Highlanders loaded the bases in the top of the ninth.  With the tying run on deck, Tage Johnson laced a 3-2 pitch back through the box, but the Ducks second baseman snagged the ball and flipped to short to squash the rally and finish the game.
 
Melchiore finished with two hits for the Highlanders.
 
The two teams match up again tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m.
 
Coach's Corner
"We battled all day.  We had a lot of quality at bats and saw a lot of pitches; we just couldn't seem to get the hits we needed.
 
"Our guys stayed in it right to the end and never quit. 
 
"To beat a team like Stevens we'll need to put together a more complete effort tomorrow, both offensively and defensively, but I'm not disappointed with our focus and effort.  I love how our guys compete.  We'll try to clean up some of our miscues and hope we get a couple more breaks to go our way tomorrow afternoon." –Coach Brian Reitnour