HOUGHTON, NY— Trailing, 7-0, in the top of the eighth inning, the Fredonia State Blue Devils stormed back to score six runs, but Houghton's Trevor Ciccotti left the bases loaded, and closed the door in the ninth, as the Highlanders hung on to pick up their 14^th win of the season.
 
Houghton scored the game's opening run in the second on a double steal, then added another in the fourth when Jeremey Wilcox walked with the bases loaded.
 
The Highlanders added three more in the sixth when Wilcox and Jason Kauffeldt roped back-to-back doubles, scoring a pair, then Kauffeldt stole third and scored on a throwing error.
 
Houghton capped their scoring in the seventh on RBI singles from Sebastian Rodriguez and Wilcox, taking a 7-0 lead.
 
But in the eighth the Blue Devils battled back, capitalizing on five hits, two walks, a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, and three crucial Houghton errors.  But Ciccotti induced an inning-ending popup to short to end the Fredonia rally.
 
After the Highlanders failed to score in the bottom of the eighth, the Blue Devils put a runner on second with two outs, but Ciccotti struck out the final batter to seal the win.
 
Chris Gross picked up his first collegiate victory, throwing six scoreless innings for the Highlanders, allowing on two infield singles, while walking four and striking out one.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Score: Fredonia State – 6 | Houghton - 7
Records: Fredonia State: 5-23  | Houghton: 14-19
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton University | Attendance: 35
 
KEY STATS:
>> Both teams worked out of jams all night long, as the Highlanders stranded 12 baserunners and the Blue Devils left 11.
 
>> Wilcox boosted his season average to .400, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and three RBI.
 
>> Rodriguez and Dylan Boprey each collected two hits apiece for Houghton.
 
>> The Highlanders swiped six total bags on the day, including two by Davis Mcmillan.  Kauffeldt's stolen base is his 21^st of the season.  He is a perfect 21-for-21 on the season and now has 70 career stolen bases, three short of David Wessell's ('21) all-time record.
 
COACH'S CORNER:
"This was a good win for us.  While Fredonia's record is not great, they have played a lot of tough teams this year and are better than their record shows.  Coming off three straight losses, it was good to pull one out tonight.
 
"Chris [Gross] threw very well for us.  He has excellent stuff and is very tough to hit.  Will [Tormey] and Trevor [Ciccotti] gave us great efforts out of the pen.  Both came into the game in tough situations, and both pulled us out of the fire.
 
"Hopefully this gives us some much-needed momentum heading into this weekend's series." – Head Coach Brian Reitnour
 
UP NEXT:
The Highlanders are set to host the Russell Sage College Gators this weekend in a crucial three-game set.  The first game is currently slated for 5:00 p.m. on Friday, but with rain looming in the forecast, that may change.