MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Houghton softball fought hard on Friday, but still came up short in two losses at the USSSA Space Coast Complex.
The Highlanders had a strong performance in a game one 10-7 loss to Grove City before falling to Alma 9-1.
The opener against the Wolverines saw the teams battling back and forth throughout the seven inning affair. Grove City jumped ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first, but Houghton responded with two runs of their own in the top of the third.
Olivia Carr got her first hit as a Highlander and scored on a sac fly by
Jennifer Page. A
Danielle Nelson single drove in
Victoria Quintana who had reached base on a fielder's choice and stole second.
Grove City had a huge fourth inning with five runs scored to go up 7-2, but the Highlanders again responded to the challenge. They scored four times in the top of the fifth to trim the margin to one run. Two walks, two singles and a stolen base were key to the rally. The Highlanders weren't done, as they added the game-tying run in the next inning. Houghton got three more hits in the frame, capped by a Nelson single that scored
Rachel Scharf.
The joy of the comeback was short-lived, however, as the Wolverines scored three times in the bottom of the sixth and then retired three of four Houghton batters to get the win.
Alisabeth Crandall (2.2 innings) and
Kareena Ulfig (3.1 innings) split time on the mound, combining to give up 10 runs on 13 hits. At the plate, Houghton batters had nine hits, led by two apiece from Nelson,
Carlee Miller and
Hailie Mathews. Nelson also drove in three runs and had a stolen base.
In game two against Alma, the Highlanders dug themselves into an 8-0 deficit after three innings and couldn't recover. Houghton scored their only run in the bottom of the fifth of a Nelson double that scored
Trinity Copeland.
Lydia Peterson and
Jennifer Page had the other Highlander hits.
Olivia Carr went 1.3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits.
Keri Wesneski pitched 4.1 innings of relief, with five runs allowed on three hits and four walks.
Chyanne Bushyhead allowed one run on two hits.
