Houghton Can't Overcome Early Deficit in Opening Day Loss
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Mt. Union University jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first inning and held on to a 13-8 win over Houghton College in baseball action on Monday.
The Raiders exploded for six hits and were helped by two Highlander errors as they put eight across in the bottom of the first. Houghton scored a run on three hits in the top of the second. Tommy Walker, Pat Parsons and Tim Leathersich each singled, and Enrico Sukhdeo hit into a fielder's choice that brought Walker across the plate.
Mt. Union added a run in the bottom of the second, and both teams scored twice in the third to make the score 11-3 Mt. Union after three.
The Highlanders scored three more in the top of the fifth. Three straight triples (Knapp, Kerr, Rapan) brought home one run, with Rapan getting credit with the RBI, before Walker drove in Kerr and Rapan with a triple to center field.
Mt. Union added single runs in the bottom of the sixth and eighth. Houghton scored twice in the top of the ninth to close the scoring.
The Raiders had 15 hits, while the Highlanders finished with 13.
Parsons turned in 3-for-4 performance with three singles and two RBI. Rapan and Walker each had two hits with Walker driving in two runs.
Seth Cornell gave up nine runs (five earned) on seven hits in one inning. Kyle Flemington pitched three innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Chad Muise allowed a run on one hit in three innings and Tim Leathersich pitched the final inning, allowing two hits and a run.