Houghton Can't Get Past PSU-Behrend in 6-5 Road Loss
ERIE, Pa. -- Houghton men's baseball dropped a 6-5 decision to Penn State-Behrend on the road Monday.
The host Lions scored a run in the bottom of the first before Houghton responded to tie the game the next inning. Garret Kirkpatrick singled up the middle to drive in Mike Kerr from third. Kerr reached base after getting hit by a pitch and moving to third on a double by Pat Parsons. Parsons was stranded at third after a pop up and a fly out ended the inning.
PSU scored three more times in the bottom of third, but Houghton again clawed back in with three of their own to tie it at four apiece. Trent Unverdorben, who singled to reach base and moved to second on a single by Kirkpatrick, scored on an error by the pitcher after a comebacker from Enrico Sukhdeo. Chris McKay then bunted a single to drive in Kirkpatrick and move Sukhdeo to third. Brett Rapan then forced the shortstop into an error, moving Mike Knapp to second, McKay to third and bringing Sukhdeo home.
As quickly as the Highlanders had tied the score, the Lions regained the lead with a run in the bottom of the inning and went up 6-4 just one inning later. A Knapp singled brought home McKay in the top of the sixth, but Houghton couldn't get any closer.
Tim Leathersich went four innings, allowing five runs on six hits before turning it over to Kyle Flemington, who gave up one run in two innings of work. Bryan Hodge and Alex Gowing each pitched an inning.
Kirkpatrick, Sukhdeo and McKay each picked up two hits, with Kirkpatrick and McKay driving in a run each.
Houghton (8-17) is back in action vs. Alfred State on Tuesday.