ALFRED, N.Y. – Houghton softball battled to two wins over Alfred State on Thursday to improve to 20-15 on the season. This is the first 20-win season in program history.

The Highlanders took a 12-8 decision in game one before closing the day with a 14-6 win over the Pioneers.

Game 1
The Pioneers scored twice in the bottom of the first to take the early lead, and after Houghton responded with three runs in the top of the third, the hosts scored three more in the bottom of the frame to go up 5-3. The lead was 7-4 in favor of the Pioneers after the fourth, but that's when the visiting Highlanders start to battle back. They scored single runs in fifth, sixth and seventh to tie the score at seven apiece and send the contest to extra innings.

With Carlee Miller placed on second, the first two Highlander hitters were retired. But freshman Rachel Scharf singled home Miller, Hannah Chorey walked, then Houghton got hits from Lydia Peterson (single), Hannah Haskell (single) and Grace Thompson (double) to take a commanding 12-7 lead. The Pioneers scored once in the bottom of the eighth.

The Highlanders belted 20 hits in the game, led by a 5 for 6 performance from Haskell. The senior shortstop drove in five runs and scored twice. Scharf finished 4 for 5 and scored three times. Thompson and Barb Richert each recorded three hits.

Kayla Loomis went the distance on the mound, allowing eight runs on eight hits while striking out five.

Game 2
While game one featured a Highlander comeback, game two saw Houghton jump out a huge 10-1 lead and cruise to the win.

Houghton trailed 1-0 after an inning, but scored 10 times in the top of the third to gain control. The big inning featured seven Houghton hits, and the Highlanders were aided by five Pioneer errors. The hosts made it interesting with five runs over the next three innings, but Houghton scored four more times in the top of the seventh to put the game away. Four-straight hits, including doubles by Kristin Keller and Carlee Miller, highlighted the frame.

Alisabeth Crandall got the start on the mound, going four innings and allowing three earned runs on eight hits. Jen Burrows pitched three innings of relief, allowing two runs on four hits.

At the plate, Haskell and Richert had four hits apiece, while Lydia Peterson had three hits from her leadoff spot. Haskell also drove in three more runs.

Houghton is on the road Friday for a key doubleheader vs. Elmira at 3 and 5 p.m., as the Highlanders look to clinch a spot in the E8 Tournament.