FORT PIERCE, FL — The Houghton Highlanders rallied from a rough game one, 12-8, loss to defeat the SUNY Maritime Privateers in the second game of a doubleheader, 8-4 in nine innings, to salvage a split.
GAME VITALS
Game 1 Score: Houghton – 8 | SUNY Maritime – 12
Game 2 Score: Houghton – 8 | SUNY Maritime – 4
Records: Houghton: 2-3 | SUNY Maritime: 4-2
Venue: Lawnwood Complex Field #2 | Attendance: 82/83
Game 1: Fifteen walks by the Houghton pitching staff ultimately doomed the Highlanders in the opening game.
What looked to be a promising pitchers' duel early, turned into a slow moving a carousel over the final two frames, as the two teams combined for 14 walks.
Leading 2-1 in the top of the fifth, the Privateers plated six runs on five hits and left the bases loaded, pulling a head, 8-1.
Houghton answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning after
Dylan Boprey drove in a run and
Zach Parr followed with a 2-RBI double.
After a scoreless sixth, the Privateers looked to put a dagger in the Highlanders, plating four more runs on only two hits thanks to two Houghton errors and four walks.
But the Highlanders refused to go quietly. After loading the bases,
Chris VanCheri crushed his second double of the game over the left fielder's head, scoring two.
Ian Slate followed with a sacrifice fly, and VanCheri eventually scored on a wild pitch.
With runners on second and third, and the Highlanders continuing to threaten,
Jeremey Wilcox smoke a line drive that the Maritime shortstop speared for the final out.
Game 2:
Trailing 4-0 in the fifth, Houghton scored three runs when
Jason Kauffeldt drove a two-RBI single to right and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Martime maintained their 4-3 lead until the top of the seventh, when Boprey ripped a base hit to center field, scoring
Jose Morales just ahead of the throw.
In the bottom of the seventh the Privateers loaded the bases, thanks to two Houghton miscues and a base hit. But Kauffeldt saved the day with a semi-diving catch in right center, sending the game to extra innings.
Houghton threatened in the top of the eighth but failed to score, and Houghton starter Ryan Newton put up another zero in the bottom half of the inning.
With two outs in the ninth, the Highlanders loaded the bases.
Ethan Cetton hit a deep blast to left, but the left fielder looked to have a bead on the ball, seemingly ending the inning. But as the Highlanders circled the bases, the ball popped out of the fielder's glove, allowing three Houghton runners to cross home plate, and Cetton stood safe at second.
Wilcox followed with a base hit to left field, scoring Cetton, and the Highlanders owned an 8-4 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
While the Privateers put two runners on base, Newtown ratcheted down, picking up a strike out and a harmless fly ball to right to end the game.
KEY STATS:
>> Boprey finished 5-for-8 on the day, including two RBI and two runs scored.
>>
Zach Parr, VanCheri, Wilcox and
Sebastian Rodriguez each finished with two hits apiece for the Highlanders.
>> Newtown earned his first win of the year, tossing nine innings in only his second appearance of the season, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits and two walks, while striking out five.
COACH'S CORNER:
"We really needed to pick up that second game, and Ryan [Newtown] really put us on his back and carried us. He just refused to lose, and we needed that example.
"We had several guys, especially Dylan [Boprey], come through with some clutch hits.
"I was proud of the grit and determination we showed coming out of a pretty disappointing first game. We're young, and we need to develop some intangible skills to help us overcome adversity. I believe we took a step in the right direction today." –Head Coach
Brian Reitnour
UP NEXT:
The Highlanders wrap up their Florida swing tomorrow at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, where they will face off against the Norwich University Cadets in a doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m.
