Houghton Reaches .500 with Win over St. Vincent
CHAIN OF LAKES, Fla. -- The Highlanders jumped out to 9-0 lead in the first two innings and looked to be on their way to a rout, but Houghton had to hang on for a 10-9 win in their final game in Florida on Saturday.
Houghton scored three in the first, with Mike Kerr doubling in Michael Knapp, Kerr scoring on a wild pitch and Trent Unverdorben coming home on a single by Tommy Walker.
The second inning featured six more Houghton runs. Knapp singled home Chris McKay and Bryan Hodge, Seth Cornell was walked in from third, another Walker singled brought Knapp home, Kerr scored on another wild pitch and Hodge singled home Unverdorben.
The Bearcats scored four times over the fourth and fifth innings to pull within 9-4, but the Highlanders put another run across in the bottom of the fifth to go ahead 10-4. Kerr singled to drive in Cornell.
St. Vincent made it close with two runs in the sixth and three in the top of the ninth. The final run came on a double steal of second and home. With the tying run now at second, Unverdorben took the mound and struck out the final Bearcat batter to close the game.
Each team registered 16 hits on the afternoon. Leading the way for the Highlanders was Walker and Knapp. Walker finished 5-for-5 with two RBI and Knapp was 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Hodge, Cornell and Kerr each added two hits.
Jared Knowlton started on the mound, allowing two runs on six hits in four innings. Kevin Cassar allowed four runs on seven hits in three inings to get the win. Alex Gowing pitched an inning and third, allowing three runs on three hits. Unverdorben struck out the only batter he faced to get the save.
Houghton (4-4) is back in action on Saturday, March 15 at Valley Forge Christian College. The first game of the double headers is set for 1 p.m.