KEUKA PARK, NY— The Houghton Highlanders picked up a split on the road, taking the first game from the host Keuka Wolves with a late offensive outburst, before dropping the second game due to some slopping defense and timely Keuka hitting.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game #1 Score: Houghton - 12 | Keuka – 6
Game #2 Score: Houghton - 6 | Keuka - 15
Records: Houghton: 14-10 (6-7 Empire 8) | Keuka: 5-9 (5-9 Empire 8)
Venue: Kuhl Field, Keuka Park, NY | Attendance: 46
 
GAME 1 RECAP:  After scoring three runs in the first inning, a pair of dropped fly balls and another couple miscues led to five Wolves runs. 
 
Houghton starter Jeremey Wilcox settled in, however, allowing only one hit over the remaining six innings to pick up his second win of the season. 
 
The Highlanders picked up two more in the top of the second, before surrendering another run in the bottom half of the inning.  Still trailing by a run in the top of the fourth, Joe Gross reached on a one-out bunt single, and Wayne Rode doubled off the base of the right-centerfield wall, scoring Gross to tie the game.  With two outs, Jason Kauffeldt singled to right, scoring Rode to put the Highlanders up by a run.
 
Houghton loaded the bases in the top of the fifth but came up empty.  Then in the bottom of the sixth, Jason Kauffeldt near single-handedly added an insurance run.  The sophomore outfielder singled, stole second, stole third, and scored when the throw skipped into left field.
 
For good measure, Houghton rapped out five hits in the top of the seventh, scoring four more runs to take a commanding 12-6 lead.
 
David Wessells, Rode and Kauffeldt led the 17-hit offensive attack with three hits apiece. 
 
GAME 2 RECAP:  The Wolves jumped out to an early 4-0 lead thanks to key Houghton defensive error that led to a bases-clearing double off the bat of Nick Brown.
 
After Houghton picked up a run on double-play groundout in the top of the third, the score remained, 4-1 Wolves, until the top of the sixth when the Highlanders came alive, scoring five runs in the top of the sixth to take a 6-4 lead.
 
Houghton starter Jared Couch picked up two quick outs in the bottom of the sixth then seemingly ran out of gas.  Back-to-back doubles scored a run, then a hit-by-pitch, walk, and another hit-by-pitch scored the tying run.  Sebastian Rodriguez relieved Couch and induced an inning-ending groundout to preserve a tie game.
 
The Highlanders put a runner on third with only one out in the top of the seventh but failed to score.
 
Keuka then pushed across the go-ahead run and another for insurance in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to three walks, a hit-by-pitch, one base hit and three Houghton defensive errors.
 
The Wolves put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth, scoring seven runs on four hits.
 
KEY STATS:
>> David Wessells finished his day with five total hits, including a double, and a stolen base.  Wessells raised his season average to .367.  He is a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen bases this season.
 
>> In Game One Jason Kauffeldt went 3-for-5 with a double and three stolen bases.  While he did not add a hit in the second game, he did add swipe his fourth stolen base of the day.  He is currently 11-for-12 in stolen bases this season.
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"It certainly would have been nice to pull out that second game, especially after we battled back to take the lead.  I thought Jared Couch actually threw very well.  We didn't give him enough support, defensively, and he ran out of steam at the end. 
 
"Keuka came through when they needed it.  They capitalized on our mistakes and put together a solid win. 
 
"We need to clean things up tomorrow, but I'm confident in our team.  I thought we did a lot of good things today and I'm excited to play again, and I know our guys can't wait to get back at it, too.  It should be a great day for baseball." – Coach Brian Reitnour
 
 UP NEXT:
Houghton returns to Keuka tomorrow afternoon for the final game of the five game series.  The Highlanders have won three of the first four games but another win will prime them to stay in contention for second place in the conference.  First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.