HOUGHTON, NY—With unseasonable temperatures hovering above 60 degrees, the Pitt-Bradford Panthers made the most of a beautiful day at the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, defeating the Houghton Highlanders on opening day, 11-3.
 
While the Highlanders struck first in the opening inning on an RBI double from Ian Slate, the Panthers would score single runs in each of the next four innings, then unload for four in the seventh and three more in the eighth.
 
Houghton would tack on a pair in the bottom of the eighth inning when Jason Kauffeldt scored on a wild pitch and Isaac Mann brought home Slate with an RBI single.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Score: Pitt-Bradford – 11 | Houghton – 3
Records: Pitt-Bradford: 1-0 | Houghton: 0-1
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton College | Attendance: 62
 
KEY STATS:
>> Four Houghton pitchers combined to walk 12 batters and hit a pair more, while the Panthers also rapped out 10 hits, including three for extra bases.
 
>> Pitt-Bradford stole a total of six bases on the day, including four from Nico Hall.
 
>> Freshman pitcher Aiden Talcott provided a bright spot for the Highlanders, tossing three innings and allowing only one run on one hit and one walk, while striking out two.
 
>> Slate and Jose Morales each went 2-for-4 with a double for Houghton.
 
>> Evan Fragela and Trent Bielak each posted a pair of hits for the Panthers.
 
COACH'S CORNER:
 "Give credit to Coach Foster and Pitt-Bradford.  They were patient at the plate and rapped out some clutch hits when they needed them.  Their pitchers threw strikes and their catcher did an excellent job behind the plate.
 
"We had a number of our regular guys unable to play today, so I anticipated that our lineup might get off to a slower start.  I did, however, expect a better showing from our pitchers.  It's hard to win games when you give up as many free bases as we did today.  We also need to do a much better job holding runners. 
 
"Overall, getting to play a game this early in February is a bonus.  We'll build on the positives and work to make corrections to the areas that need improvement.  Regardless of the outcome, it was a great day for baseball." – Head Coach Brian Reitnour

UP NEXT:
The Highlanders are not scheduled to play again until Saturday, February 25 in Auburndale, Florida, when they will take on the Bates College Bobcats in a doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m.