HOUGHTON, NY— Despite a pair of strong pitching performances, the Houghton Highlanders dropped both ends of a non-conference split doubleheader on Wednesday, falling to Lebanon Valley College, 7-5, in game one, and Muskingum University, 3-0, in game two.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Houghton – 5 | Lebanon Valley - 7
Game 2 Score: Houghton – 0 | Muskingum – 3
Records: Lebanon Valley: 6-0 | Muskingum: 2-3 | Houghton: 1-6
Venue: Lawnwood Sports Complex, Field #2 | Attendance: 66/88
 
Game 1: Houghton's offense came ready to work.  The Highlanders loaded the bases in the first but could not push a run across, then plated four runs in the second thanks to a Wayne Rode single and a Ben Closson bases-clearing double.
 
Two innings later Rode and the Highlanders struck again with another base hit that scored David Wessells, giving Houghton a 5-0 lead.
 
In the fourth inning, however, the defensive wheels came off for the Highlanders.  Five Dutchmen hits and four Houghton errors later, the score stood tied, 5-5.
 
LVC grabbed a one-run lead in the sixth, then tacked on an insurance run in the seventh. 
 
Over the final three innings the Dutchmen would allow only one baserunner as Houghton could not threaten to even the score.
 
Nick Melchiore picked up the loss for the Highlanders, allowing two earned runs over six innings of work, striking out eight and walking only one batter.
 
Game 2: Muskingum scored the winning run in the second inning on a base hit through the left side. 
 
With the exception of that run, Houghton starter Caleb Philips matched Muskie hurler Craig Nixon frame-for-frame through six innings of work.  Philips struck out one and induced seven ground outs and seven fly outs and left the game down 1-0.
 
Nixon, however, would steal the show, tossing a complete game one-hitter in his first collegiate start. 
 
Ben Closson laced the lone Highlander hit in the first inning, which Wayne Rode followed with a walk, giving the Highlanders their best scoring opportunity of the day as Nixon rolled ground ball after ground ball. 
 
Houghton hit multiple balls hard, but the Muskie defense proved solid, backing up Nixon at every turn.
 
Muskingum would tack on a pair of insurance runs in the eighth against the Houghton bullpen, completing the 3-0 victory.
 
KEY STATS:
>> In game one Rode went 3-for-5 with two RBI.
 
>> David Wessells picked up a hit and two walks in the first game, and Closson collected two hits and three RBI on the day.
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"We had another pair of solid outings from our starters today.  Nick [Melchiore] and Caleb [Philips] battled all day long.  They showed a lot of grit, working out of jams and continually challenging hitters.
 
"We struggled to put the whole package together in either game.  In the first game we had one really bad defensive inning and we lost our heads.  In the second game, we just couldn't find an offensive rhythm. 
 
"Lebanon Valley put together hits when it mattered and capitalized on our mistakes. 
 
"Muskingum's pitcher kept the ball down in the zone and attacked all day long.  He had some great help from his defense, and we never got rolling.
 
"Our guys battled all day today and I'm proud of them for that.  They gave everything they had but fell short.  We're showing progress every day.  We'll get there, but it's going to take some work and continued determination.  I believe these guys can do it."  -Coach Brian Reitnour
 
UP NEXT:
The Highlanders head back to the Lawnwood Complex on Friday for a doubleheader matchup with Eastern Nazarene College at 10:00 a.m.