UTICA, NY—  Houghton softball fell to Utica in both games in Monday's doubleheader to Empire 8 competition Utica College. The Highlanders lost 10-2 in game one and dropped the second, 7-1.
 
GAME VITALS                          
Game 1 Score: Houghton – 2 | Utica – 10
Game 2 Score: Houghton – 1 | Utica– 7
Records: Houghton: 8-20 (1-11) | Utica 14-14 (6-2)
Venue: Greennamn Field | Utica, NY | Attendance: 82
 
Game 1: The Pioneers took an early lead in Monday afternoon's matchup with the Highlanders. Houghton capitalized early on the mistakes of Utica, earning the Highlanders a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Utica answered back with five runs in the first and three unanswered in the second.
 
Houghton's only other run came in the third with a Katie Jones single up the middle driving in Kaylee Jentsch.
 
Game 2: Although Houghton bats found the ball in game two, it just was not enough to pull past the Pioneers. Houghton went scoreless for the better part of the ballgame until Taylor Sile singled to left-field driving in Jones in the top of the fifth.
 
KEY STATS:
>> Houghton collects five hits in game one and six in game two.
 
>> Jentsch was 2-for-2 on the game while McKenzie Marti went 1-for-3, and both with a run between them.
 
>> Katelyn Cook went 2-for-3 in game two, while Jones stayed at 1-for-4 (one run).
 
>> Both Highlander pitchers, Tanya Hatton (3-9) and Jentsch (5-6), took the loss in the circle.
 
UP NEXT: The Highlanders are on the road tomorrow to take on SUNY Canton for a doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m.