HOUGHTON, NY— In their final game of the 2019 season, the Houghton Highlanders fell to the Stevens Ducks on Monday afternoon, 3-1.
 
The Stevens pitchers frustrated the Highlander bats all day long, as Houghton stranded 11 runners, including eight left in scoring position.
 
The Ducks picked up all of their runs in the second inning when Stevens converted on three base hits, a sacrifice fly, and a crucial Houghton fielding error.
 
 Houghton scored their lone run in the ninth after David Wessells earned a two-out walk, took second on a defensive indifference, and scored on a base hit by Jeremy Newswanger.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Score: Stevens – 3 | Houghton – 1
Records: Stevens: 17-19 (13-5 Empire 8) | Houghton: 11-22 (6-12 Empire 8)
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton, NY | Attendance: 75
 
KEY STATS:
>> Both teams collected nine hits apiece, but Stevens earned seven walks while the Highlanders posted only three.
 
>> Houghton starter Holden Deres allowed two earned runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings.  Nick Melchiore completed the final four innings, giving up only one base hit and not allowing a single run.
 
>> Newswanger, Ben Closson and Zach Parr each collected two hits apiece for the Highlanders.  Both of Parr's hits were doubles, as the freshman corner infielder improved his season average to .264.
 
>> David Wessells doubled and collected two walks, running his hit streak to 12 games and his reached-base-safely streak to 29 games.  Wessells reached base safely in 32 of this season's 33 games, finishing with a team-best .471 on-base percentage.

COACH'S CORNER:
"It's always tough to see your season come to a close.  Our guys fought hard today.  We pitched out of some tough spots and played quality defense the vast majority of the game. 
 
"We put guys on base, and even into scoring position, but couldn't push the runs across that we needed. 
 
"I thought Holden [Deres] and Nick [Melchiore] kept us in a position to win all day long.  Zach Parr had a couple of big hits, and David Wessells just kept getting on base.  It's unfortunate that we came out on the wrong end, but there are a lot of positives to take away from this game and this season.
 
"Stevens pitched a great game.  They executed and got a couple big hits when they needed them.  I give them and Coach Aldins a lot of credit for the way they played the game.
 
"I coach a tremendous group of men.  I know they are hungry to improve and will return next fall ready to make a run.  Above all, in all circumstances, I want our play, and our lives, to be honoring and glorifying to God." – Coach Brian Reitnour