PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Houghton softball split two games on the road against Chatham University on Saturday to push their record 8-7. The Highlanders lost 3-0 to start the day before claiming a 7-5 victory in game two.
Game 1
The hosts put two runs across the plate in the first inning and added an insurance tally in the bottom of the fifth. The Highlanders couldn't string much offense together to threaten and were hampered by four errors defensively.
Houghton had five hits on the day, with
Grace Thompson registering the only hit for extra bases, a double in the top of the first.
Kayla Loomis had a strong outing on the mound, going six innings while allowing three runs on four hits. She struck out two batters and walked none.
Game 2
After falling behind 1-0 after the first inning, the Highlanders produced all the runs they would need in the top of the third.
Barb Richert led off the inning with a single, before teammates
Kristin Keller and
Hannah Chorey each reached base on errors. Richert was able to score on the second miscue.
Lydia Peterson and
Grace Thompson followed with singles, before
Hannah Haskell hit a double. With the score now 4-0,
Carlee Miller drove in Thompson with a sac fly to center and
Alisabeth Crandall grounded out but Haskell was able to come home with the sixth run of the frame.
Chatham made a game of it in the bottom half of the inning, scoring four runs. They produced a walk, a double and two triples to pull within a run.
After scoreless fourth and fifth innings, the visiting Highlanders got an insurance run in the top of the sixth when
Chyanne Bushyhead blasted a solo homer to left field.
Loomis, who had come on in relief in the third inning, turned back the Cougars with back to back 1-2-3 innings to close out the win.
Haskell was 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI to lead Houghton offensively. Six other Highlanders produced hits. Haskell, Miller and Chorey were each credited with a stolen base.
Crandall started on the mound, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over two innings. Loomis closed out the final five frames, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks.
The Highlanders (8-7 overall) return to action for a home doubleheader with Oswego on Tuesday, March 22 at 3 and 5 p.m.
