Pair of Big Innings Lift Houghton

Houghton had a big 1st inning and a big 8th inning as they were able to defeat Alfred State 8-1 in a Allegany County battle on Friday afternoon.

The Highlanders (3-0) scored four runs in the 1st inning to take the early lead. David Mcmillan's 2-run triple to right-center highlighted the inning.

Nick Serce (Irondeqouit) got the Pioneers on the board in the 2nd he hit a long double off the base of the wall in center field to score Justin LoTemple (Greece Athena) who had led the inning off with a single to left.

The game remained 4-1 until the 6th inning. Alfred State had a big threat in the 5th, loading the bases with two outs, but Ryan Newtown was able to get out of the inning without letting up any damage.

In the 6th, David Wessells added an insurance run with a two out RBI single to left. The Highlanders sent eight batters in the 8th and scored three more runs to put the game out of reach.

Serce and Matteo Avallone (Mahopac/Bridgton Academy) both were 2 for 3. The Pioneers finished with eight hits on the day and stranded 10 runners on base.

Zach Parr was 3 for 3 with a RBI while Wessells and Ethan Cettton were each 2 for 4. Newton went the distance for the Highlanders to improve to 2-0 on the year. He allowed just the one earned run and struck out five.

Jon White (Clarence) bounced back from a tough 1st inning and pitched 5.1 innings of four hit ball. He walked two and struck out seven. Chris Catoire (Brooklyn/Fort Hamilton) threw 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

The Pioneers head back to Houghton tomorrow for another game. Tomorrow at Noon they take on Elmira at the Kerr Pegula Complex.