FT PIERCE, FL- Victor Cavalieri struck out nine batters and allowed only two hits over five innings of work to lead the Houghton Highlanders past the Eastern Eagles, 4-2, in the season opener. 
 
Houghton manufactured runs through execution, scoring on a pair of sacrifice flies by Whitney Cook in the first and Taylor Huntsman in the fourth.
 
They also plated a pair of runs in the second on a balk and a wild pitch.
 
Carl Holmes picked up the save, tossing two scoreless innings of relief to close out the game.
 
Game 2:
With the game tied, 4-4 in the top of the seventh, the wheels came off for the Highlanders. 
 
Houghton walked six batters and hit a seventh as the Eagles scored five runs to take a commanding lead.
 
Griffin Tubbs turned in a strong outing for the Highlanders, allowing only two hits and one walk over four innings, while striking out five.
 
The Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth, thanks to a base hit and a two-run bases-loaded error.  
 
After Houghton redeemed a run in the bottom half of the inning, the Eagles answered in the top of the fifth, scoring on a bases-loaded double-play.
 
The Highlanders answered quickly, tying the game in the bottom of the fifth with four hits and a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Newswanger.

GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Eastern – 2 | Houghton - 4
Game 2 Score: Eastern – 9 | Houghton – 4
Records: Eastern: 1-1 | Houghton: 1-1 |
Venue: Lawnwood Complex, Field #1 | Attendance: 50
 
NOTABLE STATS
Game 1:
>> John Zamites went 2-for-2 with a walk, and David Wessells added a hit and two runs.
 
Game 2:
>> The Highlanders outhit the Eagles, 9-5, but Eastern did not make a defensive error, while Houghton committed two.
 
>> Whitney Cook, Tage Johnson, Ethan Duryea and Ben Closson each collected two hits apiece for the Highlanders.
 
Up Next:
Houghton returns to the field on Thursday, March 1^st for a doubleheader with Massachusetts Maritime Academy beginning at 11:00 a.m.