FORT PIERCE, FL— A trio of Houghton pitchers turned in a pair of outstanding pitching performances on Monday, but were outdueled by staff from Kenyon College.
 
The Lords picked up a pair of wins over the Highlanders, 4-2 in the first game, and 2-1 on a walk-off single in the eighth inning of the second.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Kenyon – 4 | Houghton - 2
Game 2 Score: Houghton – 1 | Kenyon – 2
Records: Kenyon: 2-1 | Houghton: 0-4
Venue: Lawnwood Sports Complex | Attendance: 65/65
 
Game 1: Brandon Joslin allowed only one earned runs over five innings, striking out six, but Kenyon picked up three additional unearned runs and Houghton scrapped out only two hits on the day.
 
The Lords opened the scoring in the second, but the Highlanders answered in the bottom half after Wayne Rode singled, Caleb Philips doubled to left and Jared Couch plated Rode with a sacrifice fly. 
 
Kenyon then picked up three more runs in the third despite not collecting a single hit.
 
Aaron Monroe would follow Joslin, tossing two scoreless innings to keep the score at 4-1 until the bottom of the seventh.  With one out, back-to-back hit-by-pitches and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with the tying run at the plate.  Couch followed with his second RBI of the day on a fielder's choice to make the score 4-2, but the Lords stymied the Houghton threat, striking out the final batter to seal the victory.
 
Game 2: Holden Deres tossed 7.1 innings, allowing only one unearned run until the final frame.  In the bottom of the eighth, Kenyon's Matt Contreras led off with a double.  After a fly out and a hit-by-pitch, Contreras stole third before Bret Henderson singled through the left side to bring home the game-winning run.
 
Once again Kenyon struck first, scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the third.  Houghton answered with a run of their own in the top of the fourth after Ben Closson singled, Caleb Philips hit his second double of the day, and Jared Couch picked up the RBI with a fielder's choice.
 
With neither team gaining much traction, Houghton finally threatened in the top of eighth.  David Wessells drew a lead-off walk and Jeremy Newswanger sacrificed him to second base.  The Highlanders, however, could not push the run across as two consecutive fly outs ended the inning.
 
Deres picked up the hard-luck loss after allowing nine hits, striking out four and not issuing a single base on balls.
 
KEY STATS:
>> Rode and Philips each finished their day with two hits apiece.  Philips roped a pair of doubles and Rode scored two runs.  Couch knocked in all three Highlander runs with productive outs.

>> While the Highlanders committed only three errors over 15 innings, the Lords converted those mistakes into four unearned runs.

>> Houghton went a combined 7-for-49 at the plate (.143) and posted a meager .200 on-base percentage on the day. 
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"We played a couple of good games today.  We had opportunities to win right up to the end but just couldn't get it done. 
 
"[Brandon Joslin], Aaron [Monroe] and Holden [Deres] each gave us excellent efforts on the mound.  They missed a lot of bats and even more barrels.  They no doubt kept us in each game.
 
"We didn't make a lot of mistakes, but when we did, Kenyon capitalized.  We had a few opportunities to put up more runs but couldn't get it done.
 
"Ultimately, I think we're continuing to progress, and trying to figure out a few different roles.  Our approaches, attitude and intensity were all better today than when we left New York.  We still have a ways to go, but we're getting there.  We're overcoming inexperience with teaching and patience.  One step at a time." – Coach Brian Reitnour 
 
UP NEXT:
Houghton heads back to the Lawnwood Complex tomorrow to take on Penn State-Behrend at 10:00 a.m. in a single nine-inning contest.