HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Despite a strong performance in game one, Houghton softball lost twice to Alfred in Empire 8 action Tuesday. The Highlanders lost the first outing, 4-1, in extra innings, before dropping the night cap, 8-0, in six innings.

Game 1: Alfred 4, Houghton 1 (8 innings)
The Highlanders got a strong performance from starting pitcher Kayla Loomis and used some late timely hits to drive in the tying run, but couldn't hold on in extra innings.

The Saxons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but that's the most offense either team would get for the next five innings as Loomis and Saxons pitcher Jessica Wilcox kept each team's batters at bay. But Houghton broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Lydia Peterson reached on a error, advanced to third on a single to right field by Hannah Cybart, and came home on another base rap by Hannah Haskell.

After a scoreless seventh inning, the teams went into the eighth tied at one, but that's when the Saxons bats came to life. A walk put an Alfred runner on first. She moved to second on a groundout, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and came home on a single up the middle. A Saxons triple plated another run and another single put across the third run of the inning, giving the visitors a 4-1 lead.
The Highlanders were retired 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the eighth to close out the game.
 
Game 1 Notes

• Loomis went the distance, spreading 8 hits over 8 innings, striking out 2 and walking 2
• Hannah Cybart, Hannah Haskell and Caitlyn Cybart had the Highlander hits
• Peterson scored Houghton's lone run

 
Game 2: Alfred 8, Houghton 0 (6 innings)
Alfred again gained the early advantage with a run in the top of the first. The Saxons added two runs in the fourth, three more in the fifth and closed the scoring with their final two runs in the top of the sixth.
The Highlanders didn't produce a lot offensively, as Saxons pitcher Arden Hatch stymied the Houghton batters, allowing just two hits and striking out seven over six innings.
Houghton's best chance came in the third when Lydia Peterson reached base on a walk and advanced to third on a single by Haskell. An attempted sacrifice bunt by Hannah Cybart looked promising, but Peterson was tagged out on her way home as the third basemen fielded the ball.
 
Game 2 Notes

• Loomis allowed 5 runs in 4 innings
• Alisabeth Crandall pitched 2 innings in relief, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits
• Grace Thompson tallied Houghton's other hit, a double in the bottom of the second

 
The Highlanders return to action when they host Alfred State on Friday, April 30 at 3 and 5 p.m.