DU BOIS, PA — The Houghton Highlanders pulled out two gutsy victories over the Penn State-Du Bois Nittany Lions on Monday afternoon and evening, winning the first in a dramatic comeback fashion, 6-5, before fending off a late PSU rally in a barn-burner slugfest nightcap, 18-16.
GAME VITALS
Game 1 Score: Houghton – 6 | PSU-DuBois – 5
Game 2 Score: Houghton – 18 | PSU-DuBois – 16
Records: Houghton: 8-11 | PSU-DuBois: 17-6
Venue: Showers Field, Du Bois, PA | Attendance: 197/167
Game 1:
Trailing, 4-0, the Highlanders exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh to seal the win in the first game.
Du Bois broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth before plating three more in the bottom of the fifth, the final run a home run taking advantage of the short porch in right-center, to put the Lions up by four.
While Houghton put runners in scoring position in five of the first six innings, they could not put a run on the scoreboard. But in the final frame, the Highlanders scored two runs on RBI singles by
Kanta Ueno and
Dylan Boprey, three more on bases loaded walks, and the final run on a sacrifice fly from
Nate Hall.
The Lions, however, would not go quietly. Following a leadoff pop up, Du Bois hit a single, a double and a single to pull within a run, 6-5. A flyout put Houghton an out away from the win, but a walk loaded the bases.
Houghton's
Jeremey Wilcox induced a ground ball to second baseman Ueno, who flipped to
Vincent Lucyszyn at second to complete the game.
Game 2:
The Highlanders pulled out a barn-burner, in which both teams combined for 41 hits and 34 runs. While Houghton scored in every inning, Du Bois continued to battle all night long, nearly erasing every deficit, but never gaining the lead.
After plating four more runs in the top of the sixth, Houghton held a 17-9 advantage and looked to have the game in hand. But the Lions rapped out seven hits and six runs in the bottom half of the inning to pull within a pair, 17-15.
A
Ty Kenney RBI single gave the Highlanders an insurance run in the top of the seventh, but again the Lions threatened in the bottom half.
After loading the bases with nobody out, a fielder's choice scored a run before a walk loaded the bases again. But for the second time in as many games, Houghton's
Jeremey Wilcox played the hero's role, striking out the final two batters to collect his second save in as many opportunities.
KEY STATS:
>> The 20 hits in Game #2 are the most in a single game since the Highlanders rapped out 21 in a 21-9 victory over Utica University on May 7, 2021, and the most they have compiled in a seven-inning game since they accumulated 24 hits in a 17-5 win over Delaware Valley College on March 4, 2017.
>> In addition to Wilcox's two saves, he went 3-for-6 at the plate with six RBI.
>> Ueno and Kenney each collected a team-best four hits over the doubleheader, while Wilcox, Lucyszyn,
Chris VanCheri,
Ian Slate and
Mason Sutherland each posted three apiece.
COACH'S CORNER:
"These were exactly the types of games I hoped for when we scheduled this team. They are very well coached, and have had a lot of success over the past few years. They play the game the right way—they hustle all the time, they pay attention to detail, and they are a class act. They did not disappoint.
"Both games were battles. I am proud of the grit and relentless pursuit of excellence our guys displayed tonight. While neither game was what I would consider "clean" wins, they were the type of games we needed to learn how to learn how to finish, and we did, together. We used a lot of different guys in a variety of roles and they all contributed.
UP NEXT:
The Highlanders are scheduled to travel to Keuka Park this weekend to take on the Keuka Wolves in Empire 8 conference play. Game times are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Friday and 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
