CANTON, N.Y.—The Houghton Highlanders (14-21, 4-14 Empire 8) scored four runs in the sixth inning and held on to defeat the SUNY Canton Roos (8-26, 3-14 Empire 8), 8-7, in the opening game of the Highlander's final doubleheader of the season on Saturday.
 
The Roos took the second game, 14-11, despite a school-record five homeruns hit by the Highlanders.  Houghton loaded the bases in their final at bat, but failed to push a run across.
 
Game One:
With the Highlanders leading 2-1 in the fourth inning, Nicholas Melchiore hit a two-out base hit to centerfield, scoring Garret Kirkpatrick and Bryan Hodge.
 
The Roos, however, answered quickly, knocking out three straight hits to open the bottom half of the inning to score one then scoring a second run on a sacrifice fly.
 
After Houghton left the bases loaded without scoring in the fifth, Canton plated two more runs on a two-out, two-RBI single to left, giving the Roos their first lead, 5-4.
 
The Highlanders bats exploded in the sixth.  Taylor Huntsman ripped a double to left-center to score David Wessells.  After Huntsman scored on a wild pitch, Kirkpatrick doubled to right-center to bring home Tage Johnson and Hodge followed with an RBI single to center.
 
The day looked to be done for Houghton starter Victor Cavalieri after two runs scored on one wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth, but the lefty settled down, inducing a fly-out to end the inning.  He then retired the side in order in the seventh, including strikeouts on the final two batters.
 
Huntsman, Kirkpatrick and Hodge each finished the game with three hits, while Wessells added two more in a 13-hit barrage for the Highlanders. 
 
Game Two:
Houghton put themselves in an early 6-0 hole after three innings of play. Canton starter Matt Hall seemed to be cruising, silencing the potent Highlander lineup by allowing only two runners to reach base over the first three frames.
 
Taylor Huntsman got the Highlanders rolling with a double to left-center to lead off the fourth, and Tage Johnson followed with a two-run homerun to right.
 
After the Roos added a run in the bottom half of the inning, Houghton trimmed the lead to 7-4 when David Wessells hit a sacrifice fly to center and Garret Kirkpatrick ripped a line drive homerun to right.
 
Holden Deres retired the Roos in order in the bottom of the fifth and Johnson led off the sixth with a single.  Ethan Duryea then tied Johnson for the team homerun lead in the next at bat, crushing his fourth of season to deep right-centerfield. 
The Roos responded emphatically, scoring seven runs in their next two at bats, doubling the Highlanders score, 14-7, heading into the eighth inning.
 
After Christopher Welch brought home Bryan Hodge on a fielder's choice, David Wessells launched a two-on, two-out homerun over the right field fence; his second homerun in as many at bats and his third of the series, trimming the Canton lead to 11-14.
 
Griffin Tubbs retired the Roos in order in the eighth, giving the Highlanders one final shot.
 
After the first two batters struck out, Ethan Duryea was hit by a pitch and Bryan Hodge walked.  With the tying run coming to the plate, Houghton strategically sent Nicholas Melchiore to the plate for a pinch hit at-bat.  Melchiore, however, would not be given the chance to tie the game, walking on four consecutive pitches.
 
With the bases loaded and a 3-1 count, a ground ball to first base ended the Houghton rally and their season. 
 
Six Houghton batters collected two hits apiece, and four different Highlanders hit homeruns in the game.  Wessells finished 2-for-4 with two homeruns and five RBI.
 
Coach's Corner:
"I can't express how proud I am of this team.  They did what they've done all season long: they battled; they never quit; they gave themselves a chance to win right up to the end.
 
"It was emotional for our seniors, but they accomplished a lot this season, whether or record shows it or not.  We have a lot of young talent returning next year and our seniors helped to reestablish a precedent for the way our program will operate on and off the field.  I'm incredibly proud of them and will miss them immensely." –Coach Brian Reitnour