ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Houghton softball found the offense that had been sporadic for much of the season, exploding for 24 runs over two shortened games against Rochester Institute of Technology on Monday.

The Highlanders won 14-6 in a five-inning game one before tying the Tigers, 10-10, in darkness-shortened five-inning second game.

In the opener, it took a bit for the hitters to get rolling, but after falling behind 3-0 in the bottom of the first and being held scoreless over the first two innings, the visitors responded with four runs in the third, three in the fourth, and pouring it on with seven runs in the fifth. Houghton's four-run third inning came on just one hit, but the Highlanders took advantage of five walks, two wild pitches and an error. 

The Tigers scored three times in the bottom of the third to regain a 6-4 lead, before Houghton's fourth inning saw them tally three more runs, highlighted by a single from Adelynn Killian that plated two runs and gave Houghton a 7-6 lead. Starting pitcher Olivia Carr retired three of four hitters in the bottom of the fourth. Houghton then came to the plate in the top of the fifth and quickly doubled their lead. The team scored seven times on five hits. Keri Wesneski doubled home a run, Rachel Scharf and Kareena Ulfig each had RBI singles, and Danielle Nelson closed out the scoring with a three-run double. Carr then retired the side in the bottom of the fifth to get the victory, her second of the season. She allowed six runs on nine hits and struck out three.

At the plate, Ulfig and Carlee Miller each had two hits and two runs. Nelson (3 RBI) and Jennifer Page each scored twice, while Wesneski crossed the plate three times.

In the nightcap, the teams battled back and forth over the five innings, with the Tigers scoring once in the first, three times in the second, twice in the third and four times in the fourth inning. Houghton did its damage in the second (four runs), fourth (three runs) and fifth (three runs). Carlee Miller was the offensive hero for Houghton, recording eight total bases on a home run and two doubles, while driving in five runs. Danielle Nelson continued her strong play and drove in Houghton's first two runs on an RBI single. Another Houghton run scored on a throwing error on the play, with Nelson advancing to second. Miller then doubled home Nelson to give the visitors a 4-1 lead.

After the Tigers tied the score at four in the bottom of the frame and scored twice more in the third to take a 6-4, Houghton responded in the top of the fourth to go back up 7-6. The runs came of Miller's solo homer and a two-RBI single from Chyanne Bushyhead. That lead was short-lived, however, as the hosts regained a 10-7 lead in the bottom of the inning. Miller would quickly use her bat to put Houghton back into the game, as the senior drove in three more runs with her second double of the contest to even the score at 10 apiece. The Tigers managed two hits in the bottom of the fifth, but could not put a run across, and the game was called due to darkness following the inning.

Miller finished 3 for 4, with five RBI and a run scored. Bushyhead was 2 for 4 with two RBI, while Nelson was 1 for 2 with two RBI and two runs. Jennifer Page (one hit, two runs) and Trinity Copeland each had a stolen base.

On the mound, Keri Wesneski went 3.1 innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out two. Alisabeth Crandall pitched 1.2 innings in relief, with two runs allowed on five hits.

The Highlanders return to action on Tuesday when they host Brockport for a doublehead at 3 and 5 p.m.