Houghton Claims 5th Place With Win Over Utica
UTICA, N.Y. -- Houghton wrapped up their season with a 13-3 win over Utica College at the Empire 8 Tournament to claim fifth place.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning behind a sacrifice fly from
Brandon Thomas, scoring
Jake Ryan.
Houghton then scored twice in the bottom half of the inning. Two singles put a runner into scoring position and Garret Kirkpatrick tripled to drive both runners home.
The Pioneers regained the lead with two more runs in the top of the third when Thomas struck again, this time with a triple to right center that scored Ryan Watson and Benjamin Hobaica, but that's all the scoring Utica would get the rest of the afternoon.
Michael Kerr doubled to get on in the third, and after advancing to third on a ground out, came home on a wild pitch. Four hits and four runs followed for the Highlanders in the fourth, highlighted by a Michael Knapp single that scored two Highlander runners. Houghton added another run in the fifth, before exploding for five runs on seven hits in the sixth. The inning was highlighted by freshman Tage Johnson's second homer of the year that scored two runs.
Johnson finished the game 4-for-4 with a double, home run, three RBI and three runs scored. Mike Kerr was 3-for-5 with a double and triple, while Brett Rapan, Mike Knapp, Garret Kirkpatrick and Chris McKay each registered two hits. Rapan scored three times.
Jared Knowlton pitched five innings, allowing three runs on nine hits. Chad Muise allowed one hit and struck out two in one inning of work. Kyle Flemington pitched an inning and did not allow hit, and Alex Gowing closed it out with one hit in an inning of work, while striking out two Pioneers.
Utica starting pitcher
Ryan Watson pitched 3.2 innings and struck out two, allowing seven runs.
The Highlanders finish the season with a record of 18-22.