The Ducks have emerged victorious in 11 of their last 12 games, running their record to 19-10 while Houghton fell to 14-14
Game 1:
Stevens manufactured a run in the top of the second inning after junior Nick Sieber reached on an error and moved to second on an error. A groundout advanced him to third and he was brought home by an infield hit by senior Brian Hennelly. The Highlanders evened the score in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Tage Johnson scored Trenton Unverdorben.
From then on, it was all Ducks as they scored the final seven runs of the contest, including three in the top of the fifth with two outs. After a pair of groundouts, junior Jonathan Toro reached on a walk and given home on a triple by senior Marc Calleo. Sophomore Zeph Walters drove in Toro on a fielder's choice, and junior Jayson Yano knocked in sophomore Nolan Bennett with a double down the right field line.
Stevens scratched a run across in the top of the sixth on an infield single and error, which was followed up with a three-run seventh inning. Toro led off with a triple and was plated by a Bennett single. Sieber drove in sophomore pinch runner Harrison Kaye, who had moved into scoring position with a stolen base and the scoring was ended on an ribbie double by sophomore Michael Mule'.
Toro, Bennett and Calleo each had two hits while seven different players drove in runs. Freshman Alex Detweiler started and allowed two hits in four innings while allowing one unearned run. Sophomore Bret Viola tossed three shutout innings of relief punching out three Highlander hitters.
Bryan Hodge had two hits for the home team while Unverdorben had reached on two walks. Seth Cornell threw six innings allowing five runs (one earned) while walking three and striking out four.
Game 2:
Houghton pushed the first run of the game across in their first at bat. Leadoff man Enrico Sukhdeo led off with a single to center and proceeded to swipe second and third. He came across on an RBI groundout by Michael Kerr and after one the Highlander led 1-0. That would be all the runs they would get, as Walters, freshmen Quinn DiPasquale and Andrew Hamel held the hosts scoreless over the final eight innings.
Mule' started the run scoring parade for the Ducks with an RBI single in the top of the second, and Walters helped his own cause with a run-scoring hit of his own. Yano knocked a run in on a ground ball and moved over to third a throwing error, scoring on a double steal attempt.
After a scoreless three innings, Stevens continued the scoring with Sieber swiping third base and coming home on a throwing error by the catcher. Senior Gregg Nickels, who had three hits on the afternoon, doubled in a run in the top of the seventh and touched home on a single by Yano. Sieber continued his hot hitting with a two-run triple. Freshman Drew Hanke hit a sac-fly in the top of the eighth with Kaye drawing a bases loaded walk to end the scoring for Stevens.
After pounding out 20 hits yesterday, the Ducks rapped out 18 in the nightcap including three from Sieber and Nickels and a pair from Walters, Toro, Hennelly, Calleo and freshman Tommy Baronner. Yano and Sieber each had two RBI's. Walters started on the mound and went five innings striking out nine walking only one while surrendering five hits with Hamel tossing three hitless innings out of the bullpen with seven punch outs.
Jared Knowlton allowed 11 hits in six innings allowing five runs (three earned) with no strikeouts.
The Ducks are back on the road tomorrow when they travel to Rutgers-Camden for a 3 p.m. start.
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