VERO BEACH, FL —  On the final day of their spring trip, the Houghton Highlanders nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback in game one, losing only by an inch, 9-8, before rallying for an emphatic win over the Norwich Cadets in game two, 17-6.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game 1 Score: Norwich – 9 | Houghton – 8
Game 2 Score: Houghton – 17 | Norwich – 6
Records: Houghton: 4-7 | Norwich: 1-3
Venue: Jackie Robinson Stadium, Dodgertown | Attendance: 90
 
Game 1: Ten free bases in the first two innings by the Highlanders led to a 6-0 lead by the Cadets.  And after four-and-a-half Norwich led, 9-1. 
 
But Houghton rallied to score five runs in the fifth, as seven consecutive hitters reached base safely, cutting the Norwich lead to only three runs.
 
Following a scoreless sixth inning by both teams, Brett Rosario kept the Cadets' bats at bay in the seventh, giving the Highlanders one final opportunity.
 
After Ian Slate led off with a single, pinch-runner Chris Gross advanced to second on a balk and scored on a Norwich error.  After a fly out and a walk by pinch-hitter Ethan Cetton, Sebastian Rodriguez scored on a ground out by Jose Morales, pulling the Highlanders within a single run.
 
With a runner on second base, Houghton's Jason Kauffeldt sent a scorching line drive toward the left field wall.  The Norwich left fielder got a late jump, but raced back, snagging the ball with the tip of his mitt to save the game for the Cadets.
 
Game 2:  Trailing, 2-1, entering the top of the fourth, the Highlanders exploded for 10 runs on eight hits, opening up the game.
 
Houghton wasn't done, either, plating five more runs in the fifth, and another in the sixth. 
 
While the Cadets rallied for a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth, the game never became close after the Highlanders' offensive outburst.
 
Houghton starter Aiden Talcott picked up his second win in as many starts, tossing five innings, allowing only three runs on six hits while striking out three.
 
KEY STATS:
>> Zach Parr went 5-for-8 on the day with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.  The senior corner infielder is now hitting .579 (11-for-19) in five games this season.  Parr now has 37 career doubles, and trails all-time leader Tage Johnson ('18) by eight.
 
>> Ian Slate went 5-for-6 on the day, raising his average to .379. 
 
>> Dylan Boprey and Sebastian Rodriguez each collected three hits apiece on the day.
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"The second game, and even the final five innings of the first game, were a good stepping stone for us.  We'll head home on a positive note.
 
"This team has impressive potential, but we need to find ways to limit the number of free bases we give to our opponents, and we need to find a more consistent grit.  We have the talent, the tools and the pieces for this to be a very successful year.
 
"I'm looking forward to going home and getting to work.  While I certainly want to continue playing immediately, perhaps the break in games will be good for us to work on a few things so that we can continue to improve." – Head Coach Brian Reitnour
 
UP NEXT:
When the Highlanders arrive home tomorrow they will be greeted by temperatures nearly 50-60 degrees colder than they experienced in Florida.  While their upcoming games against Fredonia (Tuesday) and Alfred State (Wednesday) have not yet officially been cancelled, the forecast certainly leaves them in doubt.