CLERMONT, Fla. – Houghton fought hard on Friday in Florida. They pulled off a win, 5-2, against Rose-Hulman then fell to Fontbonne, 6-3. The day was highlighted by several big plays from individual Highlanders. But an overall solid team effort throughout the entirety of the double header was the ultimate highlight for Houghton.

Game 1
Rose-Hulman 2 , Houghton 5
 
Katie Jones had a spectacular game for the Highlanders going 2 for 3 at bat and scoring three runs of her own in the 5-2 win against the Fightin' Engineers. Although the Engineers did fight, Houghton fought back harder to secure the win largely due to three hits in the final inning, including a triple from Hannah Haskell with the bases loaded.

The score was tied 2-2 going in to the final inning. Houghton's previous two runs, were earned in the fourth and sixth inning but Rose-Hulman answered with runs in the fifth and sixth inning. Both teams were eagerly trying to break the tie. All efforts were in vain until the seventh inning. Houghton loaded the bases with 2 outs. Hannah Haskell stepped up to the plate as the pressure mounted. H. Haskell, not letting the pressure phase her, hit a timely triple to right field batting in the runs of her three teammates, Katie Jones, Lauren Couturier and Lydia Peterson. Previously, K. Jones walked while Mariah Roger's and L. Couturier's each hit a single to put the Highlanders in a bases loaded position. Houghton entered the bottom of the seventh inning with a 5-2 lead and would need to garner three more outs in their final attempt fielding. After some quality work in the field for Houghton, H. Haskell's hit would prove be the deciding factor in the game, giving Houghton their third win of the season and first win over Rose-Hulman in program history.

Game 1 Notes

• Houghton and Rose-Hulman have met a total of six times in program history, the Fightin' Engineers hold the advantage in the series 5-1
• Freshman, L. Peterson picked up her first run of her career as Pinch Runner
• Kayla Loomis pitched the entire game for Houghton picking up her second win of the season on the mound

 
Game 2
Fontbonne 6, Houghton 3

The Highlanders were defeated in their second match of the day largely due to the Griffin's ability to create a flurry of hits. Houghton would end the game with five hits which was not enough to answer to Fontbonne, as they had thirteen hits of their own.  
 
The Griffins opened up the scoring early in the first inning. They used three hits and two walks in their first seven at bats, to go up 3-0. Houghton made a tactical pitching switch, subbing in G. Edwards. She took the mound with one out and the bases loaded. The decision proved to be wise when G. Edwards got the job done with a strike out and an out in the field to close the inning and stop the bleeding.

Houghton put themselves on the board in the bottom of the second inning. M. Marti's single RBI brought Hannah Cybart home and H. Haskell brought Mariah Rogers home with her own RBI single, cutting the Griffin's lead, 3-2.
 
After the Griffins went up 4-2, the Highlanders put themselves back within a run in the bottom of the third inning. Fontbonne's pitcher walked two batters forcing the coach to make a pitching change. This pitching change was less successful then the Highlander's change in the first inning. M. Marti would be hit by a pitch allowing M. Rogers to score making the game 4-3.

Unfortunately for the Highlanders, the Griffins would manufacture two runs in following inning, 6-3.  The rest of the game would be scoreless for both teams propelling Fontbonne to victory. As previously mentioned, Fontbonne out hit Houghton, 13-6 but the Highlanders managed to keep the score from getting out of hand. This was the Houghton's eighth game of the season all occurring in Clermont, FL. The Highlanders are 3-5 going in to their final play day of their Spring Break trip.

Game 2 Notes

• K. Jones is leading the team with 11 hits so far this season
• G. Edwards would end the game with four strike outs on the mound
• The Highlanders four errors was the most they have made in a single game this season

Coaches' Corner
"Our energy and intensity were high all day today! I'm proud of how this team never gives up and continues to battle with our opponents every inning. Our hitting, pitching and defense were sharp today which showed in the first game. We challenged Fontbonne in the second game, but just fell short. We are looking forward to our last day in Florida tomorrow!" -Katie Sinclair, Head Coach

Next Game
As mentioned by Coach Sinclair, Houghton will wrap up their Florida trip with two more games on Saturday. They have an early ball game against, Webster at 10 a.m. immediately followed by a game against John Jay. These programs will both be playing Houghton Softball for the first time in program history.