Houghton Drops Heartbreaker in Extra Innings
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Houghton College lost a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and then fell 5-4 to Milwaukee School of Engineering in the bottom of the 10th in baseball action on Thursday.
The Highlanders scored single runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 2-0 lead. In the third, Chris McKay singled, advanced to second on an error and moved to third on an Enrico Sukhdeo flyout to left. Michael Knapp drove McKay in with an infield single. Pat Parsons hit an RBI single in the fourth to drive in Tommy Walker.
The Raiders pulled a run back in the bottom of the fifth to close to 2-1, but Walker hit his team-leading second home run of the season in the top of the eighth to give the Highlanders a two-run cushion. A double and walk put two runners on for MSOE in the bottom of the ninth, and with two outs, the Raiders got a triple from Derek Jordan to drive in both baserunners and send the game to an extra frame.
Houghton put three runners on in the top of the 10th, thanks to two walks and hit batter, then Mike Kerr scored when Brett Rapan was hit by a pitch to make the score 5-4 Highlanders.
The Raiders got a single and a sacrifice bunt to get runners into scoring position, and a double drove in the tying run and put the go-ahead run on third in the bottom of the 10th. Another walk loaded the bases, and a wild pitch by Houghton pitcher Chad Muise put the winning run across the plate.
Tim Leathersich pitched seven strong innings for the Highlanders, allowing one run on five hits, striking out three and walking two. Muise, who came on in relief in the eighth, gave up five hits, four runs, two walks, a wild pitch, and recorded a strike out.
At the plate, the Highlanders managed nine hits, with Walker contributing two and scoring two runs.
Houghton is back in action on Friday when they play Gordon College in a twinbill. The first game starts at 11:30 a.m.