HOUGHTON, NY—Following another heartbreaking loss in the final inning of the first game, the Houghton Highlanders rebounded quickly, pushing 10 runs across in the first inning of game two in route to a 15-5 victory over the SUNY Canton Roos.
 
Game 1: Victor Cavalieri turned in another dominant performance, striking out 14 batters over 6.2 innings, but for the third time in four starts Cavalieri would end up on the losing end.
 
Canton loaded the bases in the seventh without a ball leaving the infield.  After Cavalieri picked up his 14^th punchout for the second out of the inning, Colin Lynk laced a 3-2 fastball just inside the leftfield line, clearing the bases and giving the Roos a 4-3 lead and the eventual win.
 
Game 2: Still stinging from the game one loss, the Highlanders broke the bank in the second game, sending 16 batters to the plate in the first inning.  Houghton scored 10 runs on eight hits to take a commanding lead.
 
The Highlanders would add single runs in each of the next three innings and two more in the eighth, while the Roos picked up a pair in the third, two more in the fifth, and another in the sixth.
 
Holden Deres picked up his second win of the season, tossing six solid innings while striking out five and not allowing a walk.
 
Nick Melchiore and Stephen Brittin finished out the game on the hill for the Highlanders, holding the Roos scoreless over the final three frames.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: SUNY Canton – 4 | Houghton - 3
Game 2 Score: SUNY Canton – 5 | Houghton - 15
Records: SUNY Canton: 5-16 (2-4 Empire 8) | Houghton: 11-12 (4-6 Empire 8)
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton College | Attendance: 50/45
 
KEY STATS:
>> David Wessells picked up four hits on the day, including a 3-for-3 performance in game two, raising his season average to .398.  Wessells roped a double and an inside-the-park homerun off the right field wall, and stole two bases.
 
>> Jeremy Newswanger and Whitney Cook collected four hits apiece on the day, both with one in the first game and three in the second.
 
>> In the first offensive start of his career, Caleb Philips roped out three hits in game two and nearly had a fourth had it not been for an excellent defensive play in left field.
 
>> Cavalieri has now struck out 71 batters in 41 innings (15.59 strikeouts per nine innings).
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"I'm incredibly proud of how our guys bounced back after losing that first game the way that we did.  I think that shows the grit and resiliency of this team.
 
"My heart absolutely breaks for Vic.  He has been absolutely untouchable for the majority of the games he's pitched.  Even today he only allowed one ball to leave the infield in the seventh inning and ended up losing.  He's the leader of our team and everyone wants better results for him.  Regardless, I'm incredibly proud of how well he has pitched.  He gives us a chance to win every time he takes the mound.
 
"We had a lot of clutch hits in that second game and we played good defense all day long.  While we didn't get the sweep, we kept ourselves in a position to still make the playoffs, which is one of our primary goals.  We have some work to do, but I know our players and coaches are up to the task." –Coach Brian Reitnour
 
UP NEXT:
Houghton travels to Ithaca College on Wednesday, April 18 for an Empire 8 doubleheader with the Bombers beginning at 1:00 p.m.