WINTER HAVEN, FLA. --- The Royals couldn't make it two-for-two on comeback attempts at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, falling 13-6 to Houghton College Wednesday in Winter Haven, Fla.  EMU scored the final six runs in yesterday's 7-6 win, but couldn't dig out of an early hole against the Highlanders.

The men jumped in front with two unearned runs in the top of the first, but then Houghton's bats took over.  A leadoff single started a five-hit rally, chasing starter Jacob Brown (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) and spotting HC a 6-2 lead.  Houghton got three more in the second, including a two-run homer, to push the lead to 9-2.

The Royals went right back to work in the third and scored a pair of runs, but then both offenses went silent.  Finally in the sixth, EMU scored two more runs to make it 9-6, but the Highlanders got them right back in the bottom of the frame.

Houghton added another deuce in the eighth for the final 13-6 margin.

Eastern Mennonite was out-hit 14-7, while the pitching staff didn't help themselves by issuing six walks.  Brown lasted just 0.2 innings and was charged with six runs and the loss.

Jonathan Estrada (Miami, Fla./Doral Academy) batted 2-3 with a walk, scoring twice and driving in two.  Kyle Mathews (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) also had a pair of hits and an RBI.

The Royals play a doubleheader against Clark (Mass.) University on Thursday, with first pitch of the two, seven-inning games at noon in Winter Haven.