HOUGHTON, NY— The Houghton Highlanders dropped both ends of a season-opening split-doubleheader, falling to Messiah College in the opener, 10-2, and Alfred State College in the nightcap, 10-0.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Messiah – 10 | Houghton - 2
Game 2 Score: Alfred State – 10 | Houghton – 0
Records: Messiah: 2-0 | Alfred State: 1-1 | Houghton: 0-2
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton College | Attendance: 52/100
 
Game 1: Brandon Joslin tossed four scoreless innings, and the Highlanders kept things close until the wheels came off in a seven-run Messiah eighth inning.
 
With the score tied, 0-0, in the bottom of the fourth, Houghton loaded the bases with nobody out.  After Nicholas Melchiore fouled out to third base, David Wessells attempted to score on what appeared to be an uncovered home plate. 
 
The Messiah first baseman, however, quickly sprinted home and Wessells was cut down at the plate.  A fly out to centerfield would relieve the Falcons from the threat.
 
Trailing 3-0 in the sixth, the Highlanders threatened again when Whitney Cook laced a two-out bases-loaded single to centerfield, plating two and leaving runners at first and second.  David Wessells promptly laced a line drive into the right-center gap, but an unbelievable diving catch by the Falcon rightfielder saved at least two runs, and kept Messiah in front.
 
The Falcons would pull away for good in the eight, plating seven runs on only four hits.
 
Game 2: Alfred State freshman pitcher, Andrew Santobuono, was the story of the game, tossing eight scoreless innings while striking out 10 and allowing only four hits and no walks.
 
The Pioneers belted out 12 hits in the win, while the Highlanders managed only four.
 
Nicholas Melchiore picked up the loss for Houghton, tossing three innings and allowing only one run.
 
KEY STATS:
>> Wessells, Melchiore, Caleb Philips and Whitney Cook each picked up two hits apiece for Houghton.  Cook posted a triple and two RBI to his cache for the day.
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"Obviously this is not how we wanted our season to start, but playing a couple of games before we head south definitely highlighted some of the areas that need the most attention.
 
"Our approaches at the plate, our discipline, and our pitchers getting ahead more frequently are just a few. 
 
"Give credit to both Messiah and Alfred State.  Messiah has a lot of talent and they ground it out longer than we did.  Alfred State has improved a lot and Coach Armstrong has that team headed in the right direction.  They flat-out beat us in every facet of the game tonight.

"The truth is, we are a fairly young team without a lot of college game experience.  While the scoreboard may not show it, today was good for us in many ways.  If nothing else, it's a dose of humility and a realization that we need to work harder; nothing will be handed to us, and unless we show improvements this will be a long season. 
 
"The good part is that I firmly believe that we will improve.  I'm looking forward to Monday." –Coach Brian Reitnour