HOUGHTON, NY— The Houghton Highlanders pounded out 37 hits and 44 runs, picking up to two much-needed Empire 8 wins over the visiting Alfred Saxons, 24-3 and 20-1.  With the wins the Highlanders move into third place in the conference standings.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Game One Score: Alfred - 3 | Houghton – 24
Game Two Score: Alfred - 1 | Houghton – 20
Records: Alfred: 1-28 (0-14 Empire 8) | Houghton: 14-16 (8-5 Empire 8)
Venue: Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex, Houghton University | Attendance: 100/92
 
GAME ONE:
The Highlanders put up crooked numbers in all but the sixth inning, earning all the runs they would need in a four-run first inning.
 
Houghton ripped off 23 hits and swiped nine bags in the opening win, thanks to a 4-for-5 effort from Dylan Boprey and three hits apiece from Jeremey Wilcox, Chris VanCheri and Jeremiah Chow.
 
Aiden Talcott picked up his third win of the year on the mound, allowing only two earned runs across six frames on five hits and three walks, while striking out five.
 
GAME TWO:
Chris Gross picked up his first win of the season, going five strong innings, allowing only one hit, while striking out seven Saxon batters.
 
After posting a goose egg in the first, Houghton exploded for six runs in the second, which would be more than enough support for Gross.
 
Houghton would score a single run in the fourth before putting up nine in the fifth and four more in the sixth.
 
Boprey stayed hot, posting three more hits in the nightcap, while VanCheri and Wilcox put up two more hits apiece.
 
Nate Hall finished 2-for-4 with four RBI a walk and two runs scored.
 
KEY STATS:
>> Anthony Anzalone, Ryan Zirilli, Ben Reider and Jorge Guerra-Rincon all picked up their first collegiate hit for the Highlanders.
 
>> On the day, Boprey went 7-for-11 for five RBI and six runs scored, boosting his season batting average to .291.  His first hit of the day moved him out of a tie for seventh place with Jason Kauffeldt ('23) on the career hits list, and into sole possession.  He currently trails teammate and fellow senior, VanCheri, who ranks sixth on the list, by only six hits.
 
>> Wilcox went 5-for-6, raising his team-leading average to .347, while VanCheri went 5-for-7, and is currently weighing in with a .320 average.
 
 UP NEXT:
The Highlanders return to the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex tomorrow when they will play the third and final game against the Saxons at 7:00 p.m.