HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- After a two-week break since their 10-game Florida trip, Houghton softball returned home and split a doubleheader vs. Geneva College on Saturday.

The Highlanders dropped the opening game, 6-3, before rebounding for a 7-4 win in the nightcap.

Houghton jumped ahead 1-0 in the second inning of the first game, and after Geneva scored twice in the top of the third, the hosts scored another run to even the score at two apiece. The tying run came off a Carlee Miller doubled that drove in Danielle Nelson who had reached on a single. But the visiting Golden Tornadoes responded with a run in the fourth and three more in the fifth to take a 6-2 advantage.

The Highlanders had a perfect opportunity to get back in the contest in the bottom of the sixth. They loaded the bases with no outs, but were only able to plate one run before three-straight strikeouts ended the inning.

Miller and Jennifer Page led the Highlanders at the plate, each going 2-for-4. Miller added an RBI, while Page scored a run.

Kareena Ulfig picked up the loss, allowing six runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts in five innings of work. Keri Wesneski pitched the final two innings, retiring all six batters she faced, including two by strikeout.

Game two featured a quick start for the Highlanders, as they scored four runs in the bottom of the first, forcing a quick exit for the starting Geneva pitcher. The inning was highlighted by a Page double that drove in Nelson and Miller. Nelson had reached on her own two-base knock that plated Lydia Peterson. The final run was scored by Page, driven in off an Ulfig single.

Houghton scored twice more in the second inning. After Wesneski led off with a double and Nelson was hit by a pitch and then stole second, Miller doubled to drive in both runners.

Geneva scored single runs in the third and fourth innings before plating two more in the fifth to trim the lead to 6-4. Houghton was held scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, but got an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth behind four-straight singles that ultimately scored Wesneski.

Starting pitched Olivia Carr retired three of four batters in the top of the seventh to secure the win. Carr went the distance, allowing four runs on nine hits, with two strikeouts and three walks.

Miller led again offensively with a 2 for 3 performance at the plate, driving in three runs and scoring another. Wesneski, Peterson and Nelson each had two hits, with Nelson and Wesneski also scoring twice.

Houghton finished with five doubles and 11 total hits.

It was Houghton's first win over the Golden Tornadoes in 12 attempts since Houghton re-launched its softball program in 2012.

The Highlanders are back in action when they host Alfred State in a twinbill on Thursday, March 21. Game one is slated for a 3 p.m. start.