HOUGHTON, NY— The Houghton Highlanders split a doubleheader for the second consecutive day, defeating the Delaware Valley Aggies, 5-4, in the opener, before falling, 4-1, in game two.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Houghton – 5 | Delaware Valley – 4
Game 2 Score: Delaware Valley – 4 | Houghton – 1
Records: Houghton: 5-5 | Delaware Valley: 1-1
Venue: Bob Gladwin Stadium, Lawnwood Sports Complex | Attendance: 56
 
Game 1:
After falling behind by a pair of runs early, the Highlanders took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third when Zach Parr doubled home a run, and Caleb Philips followed with a sharp base hit to plate two more.
 
Houghton added another run in the fourth on a David Wessells base hit, but the Aggies tied the game in the top of the fifth after an error and a pair of base hit pushed across a pair of runs.
 
With the game tied in the sixth, Houghton loaded the bases for Jeremy Newswanger, who laced a two-out base hit to right field, scoring John Zamites.  The Highlanders tried to score an insurance run on the play, but Joe Gross was cut down in a bang-bang play at the plate.
 
In the seventh, Jared Couch took the hill for the Highlanders, and after issuing a walk to the leadoff man, promptly struck out three straight Aggies to earn his third save of the season.
 
Griffin Tubbs picked up his first win of the season, tossing six innings and striking out four, while allowing only one earned run.
 
Newswanger and Philips both finished with two hits apiece for the Highlanders.
 
Game 2:
The Aggies again struck early, scoring three runs in the first two innings, then adding a fourth in the top of the seventh.
 
Houghton threatened multiple times, but several baserunning miscues kept the Highlanders off the board.
 
Then in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Highlanders loaded the bases with nobody out.  Pinch-hitter Wayne Rode quickly found himself down a pair of strikes, but crushed a 1-2 pitch deep into right field. 
 
Aggie right fielder Tom Crooks raced back to the wall and made a sensational over the shoulder grab at the wall, limiting the Highlanders to only one run, which scored on the sacrifice fly.
 
Houghton again loaded the bases with only one out, but a pair of strikeouts killed the rally and ended the game.
 
Delaware Valley's Dakota George earned the win, throwing six strong innings, striking out four and allowing only one run.
 
Caleb Philips picked up the loss for Houghton, throwing a seven inning complete game, striking out six, walking none, and allowing only two earned runs. 
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"It was good to see us battle through both games.  We came out a little flat both times, but we made some good things happen after we settled in. 
 
"We produced when we needed to in the first game, and I'm proud of how we came back after they tied the game.  Griff[in Tubbs] and Jared both pitched very well for us.
 
"In the second game we shot ourselves in the foot multiple times with our baserunning.  Our defense got a little sloppy, and we didn't give Caleb [Philips] the support he deserved. 
 
"Again, we fought back and loaded the bases.  On any other day, Wayne [Rode's] ball leaves the yard (high winds blowing in from right field).  I don't think anyone else hit a ball within 50 feet of the fence today, and that was a shot.  He did everything he could, but we just couldn't pull it out.
 
"It will be a long ride home, but we'll regroup, work on some points of execution this week, and get ready to play our home opener next Saturday." –Coach Brian Reitnour
 
UP NEXT:
Houghton will play their home opener on Saturday, March 14 against the Hilbert College Hawks.  First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.