HOUGHTON, NY—A day after dropping both ends of a doubleheader to the Utica Pioneers, including a heartbreaking walkoff to end the first game, the Houghton Highlanders returned the favor.
 
Trailing 7-2 after six-and-a-half innings, the Highlanders scored seven runs in the final two frames, including a bases-loaded, walk-off base hit to left field by Ethan Cetton.
 
Houghton again rallied in the second game after trailing 9-4, scoring nine runs over their final four offensive innings, including four in the eighth to take a three-run lead.
 
Sebastian Rodriguez picked up relief victories in both games for the Highlanders, the first two pitching victories of his collegiate career.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Utica – 8 | Houghton - 9
Game 2 Score: Utica – 10 | Houghton – 13
Records: Utica: 9-8 (3-3 Empire 8) | Houghton: 10-5 (2-2 Empire 8)
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton College | Attendance: 54/65
 
Game 1: Trailing, 3-0, in the third, Joe Gross pulled the Highlanders within a run with a two-out, two-RBI single to center.  Utica, however, would tack on four unearned runs over the next three innings to take a commanding 7-2 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.
 
That's when the Highlander bats came alive, rapping out four hits and walk to pull within two.  With runners on second and third, Sebastian Rodriguez laced a base hit to right field, scoring Davis McMillan, but the throw from right field cut down the tying run at the plate, preserving a one-run Utica lead.
 
The Pioneers quickly loaded the bases in the top of the seventh on three straight walks.  Rodriguez took over on the bump for the Highlanders and induced a 6-4-3 double play, which scored the run from third to put Utica back up by two, and another ground out to end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Whitney Cook led off with a walk, and David Wessells roped a base hit to left-center.  Cook raced for third and Wessells slid in safely at second when the throw to third arrived late.
 
After a pitching change by the Pioneers, Joe Gross was hit in the left shoulder to load the bases.  A sacrifice fly by Jason Kauffeldt pulled Houghton within one, and both Gross and Wessells tagged to move up on the play.  After Utica intentionally walked Houghton first baseman Zach Parr to load the bases, Cetton, making his first plate appearance of the day, laced a single to left field, plating Wessells.  The throw from left sailed toward home, but Gross slid in safely to give the Highlanders the win.
 
 
Game 2: After the Pioneers scored two, two-out runs in the first, Houghton answered with four of their own in the bottom half of the opening frame.  Gross roped an RBI double off the left wall, and Davis McMillan plated two with a single to centerfield.
 
Utica, however, would score in each of their first six offensive innings.  The Pioneers led 9-4 after five before Houghton trimmed the deficit to three with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. 
 
Zac Cronk pushed the Utica lead back to four with an RBI single in the sixth, but Houghton again answered with another run in the bottom half of the inning.
 
The Pioneers again threatened in the top of the seventh, but Rodriguez worked out of a jam with the help of a spectacular inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
 
Houghton pulled within one in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to a dropped fly ball in right field, which scored two runs.
 
Rodriguez again worked out of another jam in the eighth, stranding Pioneer baserunners on second and third.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Houghton would send eight batters to the plate, despite collecting only two base hits.  What the Highlanders did do was steal three bases and come through in the clutch.  With two outs and Houghton already up by a run, Dylan Boprey ripped an RBI single and Chris VanCheri crushed a triple to right center, plating Boprey.
 
With the Highlanders up by three, Ryan Newtown picked up his first career save, despite having thrown over 90 pitches the day before. 
 
Boprey and VanCheri combined for seven of the Highlanders 11 hits in the game, Boprey with three and VanCheri with four.  Both freshman also tripled.
 
KEY STATS:
>> VanCheri went 6-for-8 on the day with an RBI and two runs scored.  With regular starting catcher, Wayne Rode, out for the weekend, VanCheri caught all 31 innings pitched by the Highlanders.
 
>> Boprey went 4-for-8, while Gross and McMillan each added three hits apiece.
 
>> In the first game, Houghton made efficient use of their baserunners, collecting 12 hits and stranding two.  Utica collected eight hits but left seven on base.
 
>> Despite playing excellent defense and providing a threat on the bases, Houghton's David Wessells collected only one base hit on the day, leaving him one hit shy of tying the all-time Houghton career hit record. 
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"I am incredibly proud of our guys right now.  We really needed a pair of wins today and they never quit.  One of the things I love about this team is that every guys believes that we are never out of it.
 
"We had a rough defensive game in the opener, but we cleaned it up enough to give ourselves a chance.  Jeremey Wilcox pitched very well and battled throughout. 
 
"In both games we ran the bases incredibly well.  We took extra bases and swiped a few when we needed them. We capitalized on their mistakes and worked out of a few jams.  We also came up with some big defensive plays when we needed them.
 
"Utica can flat-out hit.  They are a tough team to beat.  Every year it seems like almost every game is a dog fight.  After yesterday, it was a great to come out on top of the pile." – Head Coach Brian Reitnour
 
UP NEXT:
The Highlanders have off until next Friday and Saturday, when they will take on the St. John Fisher Cardinals in their next Empire 8 series.  Houghton will host a doubleheader on Friday at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., then travel to Rochester on Saturday for a doubleheader at Dugan Yard.