HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Houghton softball won its third-straight contest with a 7-5 victory over Alfred State on Wednesday at home.

The Highlanders grabbed the early lead, thanks to a solo homer from Danielle Nelson in the bottom of the first, but the visiting Pioneers responded with three runs of their own in the top of the second and tacked on another run two innings later to go up 4-1.

Houghton didn't take much time with their own response, scoring twice in the bottom of the fourth. Chyanne Bushyhead doubled home Carlee Miller, who had reached on a walk, and Bushyhead scored on an error two batters later. The hosts scored three more in the fifth -- off four hits -- including another double by Bushyhead that drove in two more runs.

The teams would each add another run to their totals in the sixth, with Lydia Peterson blasting a triple that plated Breona Jones to close the scoring.

Bushyhead went 3 for 3 with three RBI to lead the Highlanders, while Peterson and Nelson each had two hits. Nelson and Miller each scored two runs.

In the circle, Olivia Carr got her fifth victory of the season, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out three in 5.1 innings. Alisabeth Crandall pitched 1.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits.

Houghton is back in conference action on Friday as they travel to Utica to take on the Pioneers in a doubleheader at 3 and 5 p.m.