HOUGHTON, NY—The Houghton Highlanders (8-10, 1-4 Empire 8) pounded out 28 hits over 16 innings of play, but walked away with another split with the Elmira Soaring Eagles (5-5, 3-1 Empire 8) on Saturday. 
 
After relinquishing a two run lead in the top of the seventh, the Highlanders won the first game, 5-4, with a dramatic come-from-behind walk-off base hit by Garret Kirkpatrick.
 
The Soaring Eagles brought their bats to game two, knocking out 20 base hits and collecting 10 walks from Highlander pitchers, as they defeated Houghton handily, 20-6.
 
Game One:
The Highlanders opened the scoring in the first when Taylor Huntsman hit a two-out double to left and Tage Johnson followed with a single to center.
 
Houghton tacked on another run in the fourth after Kirkpatrick single and Jeremy Newswanger brought him home with a base hit to centerfield. 
 
With runners on first and second and Houghton leading 3-1 in the top of the seventh the Highlanders misplayed a bunt into a run and the Soaring Eagles played some small-ball to produce two more and take the lead, 4-3.
 
After retiring the first batter in the bottom of the seventh, Huntsman and Johnson struck again, nailing back-to-back doubles to tie the score.  Tanner Hoffman then entered the game as a pinch runner and Kirkpatrick laced a base hit to right, scoring Hoffman from second for the walk-off win.
 
Victor Cavalieri picked up the win for the Highlanders, tossing a complete game four-hitter, while striking out seven.
 
Huntsman, Johnson, Kirkpatrick, Bryan Hodge and John Zamites each collected two hits apiece for Houghton.
 
Game Two:
Elmira jumped out to an early lead, plating five runs on three hits in the first two innings.
 
Jeremy Newswanger brought the Highlanders back within three with a two-RBI base hit in the second.  Houghton then tied the score at five in the third, stringing together four consecutive hits.
 
But the Soaring Eagles blew the game open over the next two innings, scoring seven runs in the fourth and six in the fifth to put the game out of reach.
 
Houghton compiled 15 hits in the game, but the Soaring Eagles posted five more and walked only two batters to the Highlanders' 10.
 
David Wessells, Kirkpatrick and Duryea each posted three-hit games for Houghton while Nicholas Melchiore added another two.
 
Coach's Corner:
"That first game was a really good game on both sides.  Both teams played hard the whole way and neither team gave up. 
 
"Both pitchers threw well.  As a coach, those are the games you love.  I'm really proud of how our guys played right up to the end.
 
"The second game just got away from us.  Elmira hit the ball really well that game and we just gave up too many free bases. 
 
"I'm definitely looking forward to the rematch on Monday." –Coach Brian Reitnour
 
Next Time Out:
The Highlanders and Soaring Eagles will meet again on Monday for the rubber match at 6:00 p.m.