HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Houghton softball treated its fans to an eventful spring home opening double-header, sweeping SUNY Canton with 12-4 and 17-4 wins on Friday afternoon.

In game one, the Highlanders rapped out 14 hits, led by Kareena Ulfig who was 4 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Olivia Carr had three hits and three RBI, while Danielle Nelson finished 2 for 3 with three runs scored. Sarah McArthur (2 runs) and Kelley Burnett (3 RBI) each added two hits. 

The Highlanders led 7-4 going into fifth, but scored five runs in the bottom of the inning to close out the game. Canton had tied the score at four in the top of the third.

Ulfig was equally strong on the mound, going the distance to record the win. The sophomore hurler allowed four runs on seven hits, while striking out 11 batters.

"Our offense was dominant; we scored runs every inning. That makes it easy for a pitcher to throw knowing the offense is going to help them out," said Head Coach Olivia Kincanon. "Kareena helped us have some quick innings defensively. We started off a little slow on the field, but once we got a good rhythm going, we were shutting them down." 

The Houghton bats stayed on fire in the nightcap with a two-inning explosion spelling the difference. The host scored 16 times in the third and fourth inning to overcome a 3-1 deficit and get the five-inning win.

Nelson continued her hot streak at the plate, driving in five runs on two hits and scoring twice. Ulfig and Carr had two hits each. Houghton only had 10 hits in the game, and just one for extra bases, but they were aided by eight Canton errors and five walks.

Rebecca Oates got the win in five innings of work. She allowed three runs on seven hits, while striking out eight.

"Becca had an amazing home opener freshman debut. It's hard to lose when you have a pitcher working like that on the mound," said Kincanon. "We had some big innings that allowed the game to end early. Our bats were going, and we were hitting the ball hard allowing the runs to keep coming. We also looked well sound overall defensively." 

Houghton is now 4-8 on the season and returns to action Saturday when they host SUNY Delhi in a double header.