FORT PIERCE, FL —  The Norwich Cadets saved their best for last, pouring out offensive production in the later innings in a pair of wins over the Houghton Highlanders on Saturday afternoon.  The cadets put up a seven-spot in the final frame of game one to win, 9-2, before unloading for 17 runs in the final three innings in a game two victory, 19-5.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Houghton – 2 | Norwich – 9
Game 2 Score: Houghton – 5 | Norwich – 19
Records: Houghton: 2-5 | Norwich: 4-0
Venue: Determination Field, Dodgertown | Attendance: 75/75
 
Game 1:
With Norwich clinging to a 2-1 lead with two outs and Houghton's Ethan Cetton on second base in the bottom of the sixth, Sebastian Rodriguez laced a base hit to centerfield.  Cetton raced around third as the centerfielder delivered a strike to the plate.  Cetton slid past the catcher and attempted to hook the plate with a roll-over slap, but both he and the catcher slipped, scrambled to reach the plate first and Cetton ended up as the final out of the inning.
 
In the bottom half of the inning the wheels came off for the Highlanders, as Norwich plated seven runs on five hits to all but seal the victory.
 
Game 2: 
A five-run fourth by the Cadets erased a 3-2 Houghton lead, putting Norwich up, 7-3. 
 
Houghton quickly responded with a pair of runs of their own after Davis Mcmillan doubled to right-center and Phil Schurr followed with a single to left, cutting the deficit to 7-5.
 
But Norwich would explode for 12 more runs over their final two frames and Houghton could not respond.
 
KEY STATS:
>> Over the course of the doubleheader, Norwich rapped out 24 hits, while Houghton collected 21.
 
>> Houghton stranded 13 runners and hit into two double-plays in game two.
 
>> Jason Kauffeldt, Dylan Boprey, Cetton and Rodriguez all collected three hits apiece for the Highlanders. 
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"I thought that both Jeremey [Wilcox] and Will [Tormey] gave us solid outings on the mound but ran out of gas late in the game.  We also hit the ball well most of the day, but we also made a lot of mistakes—on the basepaths, in the field, and even making adjustments in key offensive situations.  Those mistakes came back to bite us.
 
"Give credit to Norwich, they performed when they needed to us flat out beat us. 
 
"We have a lot of work to do when we get home, but it is work worth doing.  If our guys buy in, focus on details and the process, I believe we will continue to progress and be a team to be reckoned with late in the season." – Head Coach Brian Reitnour
 
UP NEXT:
The Highlanders are scheduled to travel to Allegheny College for a doubleheader with the Gators on Saturday, March 12, starting at 12:00 p.m.