HOUGHTON, NY— Aiden Talcott and Ryan Newtown combined to allow only one run as the Houghton Highlanders completed a three-game sweep of the Elmira Soaring Eagles with a 6-1 win on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Houghton picked up all the offense they would need in the second inning when Ian Slate and Sebastian Rodriguez both picked up RBI singles to give the Highlanders a 2-0 lead. 
 
After Talcott put up another zero in the top of the third, the Highlander bats struck again in the bottom half of the inning. 
 
With two outs, Zach Parr drew a walk and Chris VanCheri singled to left.  Ian Slate then doubled to deep right-center, scoring both Parr and VanCheri, and Davis Mcmillan followed with a double to left, scoring Slate.
 
Elmira scored their lone run in the fifth after a leadoff walk and a double from Chris Jones.
 
The Soaring Eagles threatened again the top of the seventh when, with two outs, Brett Warden crushed a double to left and Mason Ryan followed with a base hit to center.  Warden raced around third, but a bullet throw from Jason Kauffeldt and a diving tag from catcher VanCheri cut down Warden at the plate to end the inning.
 
Houghton would plate their final insurance run in the bottom half of the inning, while Newtown continued to roll, retiring six straight in the eighth and ninth to pick up his first win of the year.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Score: Elmira – 1 | Houghton - 6
Records: Elmira: 2-12 (0-3 Empire 8) | Houghton: 8-8 (3-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton College | Attendance: 38
 
KEY STATS:
>> Talcott allowed only three hits and three walks over 4.1 innings of work, striking out two, while Newtown pitched the final 4.2 innings, giving up only four hits without a walk and collecting one strikeout.
 
>> VanCheri, Slate and Mcmillan each collected two hits apiece.  Slate went 2-for-2 with two walks, two RBI, and two runs scored.  He has had six multi-hit games this season, and is now hitting .410 on the season with a .510 on-base percentage. 
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"Our guys picked up where we left off on Friday.  I'm really proud of how we played today. 
 
"Aiden [Talcott] scuffled a little bit, going deeper into counts than he usually does, but he kept getting outs.  And Ryan [Newtown] was outstanding.  He pounded the zone and changed speeds effectively.  They had to change their approaches at the plate because he was throwing so effectively.
 
"Defensively we played very well, too.  Not only did we make the expected plays, but we stepped up and executed a few plays that killed potential rallies.  Isaac Mann had a couple of big picks at first, at least one of which was an incredibly difficult play.  Chris VanCheri has done an outstanding job with our pitchers and once again shut down the running game.  Our outfield got to some tough balls, and Jason Kauffeldt's throwing out the runner at home was crucial.
 
"The top of our order has carried us most of this year, but today we had some big hits from the bottom of the order, too. 
 
"You can't ask for a more of a complete effort, and sweeping the first conference series of the year is a big lift." – Head Coach Brian Reitnour
 
UP NEXT:
The Highlanders are scheduled to travel to Utica this Friday and Saturday for a three-game series with the Pioneers.  Game time on Friday is slated for 4:00 p.m.