HOUGHTON, NY— The Houghton Highlanders rode strong pitching performances from Brandon Joslin in game one and Holden Deres in game two, along with an offensive explosion, to a sweep of SUNY Canton on Saturday afternoon, 7-0 and 13-3.
 
Game One: In his first start in nearly two weeks because of an ankle sprain, Joslin tossed his first career complete-game shutout, limiting the Roos to only four hits while striking out seven.
 
The Highlanders gave Joslin all the run support he would need in the second inning, reeling off six runs on four hits, including doubles by Whitney Cook, David Wessells and Jeremy Newswanger.
 
Wessells would later add a triple to left-center and score on an ensuing wild pitch in the sixth to round out complete the scoring for Houghton.
 
Game Two: On the heels of Joslin's gem, Holden Deres threw five strong innings to start the second game, allowing only three hits and picking up seven strikeouts.
 
The second inning game proved to be the difference, as Houghton sent 14 men to the plate while posting nine runs on the scoreboard.  The Highlanders rapped out eight hits in the inning, including doubles by Zach Parr and Ben Closson, and a triple by Joe Gross.
 
Canton picked up a run in the third, but Houghton quickly answered with a run of their own in the top of the fourth and two more in the fifth. 
 
The Highlanders completed their scoring in the seventh when Caleb Philips doubled to right center, Kevin Zientara singled him home, and Parr hit his second double of the game to plate Zientara.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Houghton - 7 | SUNY Canton – 0
Game 2 Score: Houghton – 13 | SUNY Canton – 3
Records: Houghton: 10-10 (5-1 Empire 8) | SUNY Canton: 3-16 (0-6 Empire 8)
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton, NY | Attendance: 55/60
 
KEY STATS:
>> Joslin lowered his season ERA to 1.91.  He has now struck out 32 batters in 28.1 innings of work.
 
>> Parr posted five hits on the day for the Highlanders, including a career-high four hits in game two, and added three RBI.
 
>> Wessells reached base seven times on the day, boasting three singles, a double, a triple and two walks.  In his last four games he has ripped 10 base hits.  He has also reached base safely in 18 of the Highlanders 20 games this season.
 
>> The 17 hits collected by Houghton in the second game matched their season-high.  They also posted 17 hits in a victory over Wilkes University on March 9.
 
>> The Roos committed eight fielding errors on the day, while Houghton made only one.

COACH'S CORNER:
"Completing the sweep was huge for us.  This keeps us in contention for a playoff spot.
 
"We had another two excellent starting pitching performances from Brandon [Joslin] and Holden [Deres].  Getting Brandon back (from injury) really gave us a boost.  The two of them are tremendous leaders and they put us on their backs today.
 
"It was great to see our bats come alive.  We had 25 hits today, nine of which went for extra bases.  We're going to be tough to beat if we keep that up.
 
"Zach Parr was outstanding today.  He's come such a long way and I'm really proud of how he's playing lately.
 
"These guys are a lot of fun to coach.  I'm looking forward to getting back to work with them on Monday, but until then I'm going to savor this feeling and hope it rolls into next week." –Coach Brian Reitnour
 
 UP NEXT:
 Houghton heads to Utica next Friday and Saturday, April 12 & 13 for another Empire 8 conference matchup with the Pioneers.  First pitch on Friday is slated for 4:00 p.m.