ELMIRA, NY— The Houghton Highlanders picked up a pair of much-needed conference victories on Saturday, thanks to three strong pitching performances, defeating the Elmira Soaring Eagles, 8-2 and 6-5.
Game 1: A seven-spot in the first inning and a strong outing from starting pitcher
Griffin Tubbs propelled the Highlanders to a win in the opener.
Houghton scored seven runs on only two hits in the first thanks to four Elmira errors, two walks and a hit-by-pitch.
That would be more than enough room for Tubbs to work. The Houghton starter tossed all seven innings, allowing only seven hits and two walks while striking out four to earn his team-leading third victory of the season.
Game 2: Caleb Philips picked up his second win of the year, allowing only one earned run over five innings before exiting with a 6-4 lead.
Aaron Monroe then came on for the second day in a row, earning his first save of the season over the final four frames, allowing only two hits while striking out three.
Houghton opened the scoring in the second with three runs after
Whitney Cook laced a two-run single to right and
David Wessells brought home Cook with a two-out bunt base-hit.
The Soaring Eagles pulled ahead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to two hits and a pair of Houghton errors, but the Highlanders quickly responded in the top of the sixth with three runs of their own. With the bases loaded
Ben Closson singled to center to bring home
Joe Gross and Cook, then
Jeremy Newswanger scored the winning run on an error.
Elmira threatened to break the game open in the sixth, but Monroe came on to leave the bases loaded without allowing a run.
In the eighth, the Soaring Eagles a one-out single and a double put runners at second and third. A groundout made the score 6-5, but Monroe struck out the final batter of the frame to end the rally.
A perfect ninth by Monroe would seal the Houghton victory, giving them their first series win of the year.
GAME VITALS
Game 1 Score: Houghton - 8 | Elmira - 2
Game 2 Score: Houghton - 6 | Elmira - 5
Records: Houghton: 7-10 (2-1 Empire 8) | Elmira: 3-14 (1-5 Empire 8)
Venue: Dunn Field, Elmira, NY | Attendance: 69/75
KEY STATS:
>> Wessells finished his day 4-for-7 with two walks, three RBI and four stolen bases.
>> Cook went 4-for-6 with three RBI, and Philips added three hits on the day in addition to his win on the mound for the Highlanders.
>> Jansen Crossley collected three hits on the day for the Soaring Eagles.
COACH'S CORNER:
"This was a great pair of wins for us today. We bounced back after a rough day yesterday and battled all day long.
"We had three excellent pitching performances from [
Griffin Tubbs], [
Caleb Philips] and [
Aaron Monroe], got some timely hits and executed the small game well.
"To pick up the first win was big. Griff put us on his back. The second win put us in a position of contention within the conference standings. It was great to see our team lock down and extinguish some fires at the end.
"Can't wait to get back to work on Monday." –Coach
Brian Reitnour
UP NEXT:
The Highlanders next travel north on Friday, April 5 to take on SUNY Canton in another three-game Empire 8 series. Game One will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, before playing a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.
