KEUKA PARK, N.Y. – The Keuka College Softball team split against Houghton College on Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference matchup.

Keuka College (3-5, 3-5 Empire 8) took game one against the Highlanders 5-3. Houghton however would respond back in game two 7-6.

Keuka College 5 vs. Houghton College 3 – Game one

The Keuka College softball team would get on the board first in the first inning with Helena Hill (Akron N.Y. / Akron) putting the ball in play to the pitcher and gaining a base from the Highlanders miscues in the field. Abby Eising (Buffalo, N.Y. / Williamsville South) moved the runner to third on a sac bunt, and Abby Kruse (Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville South) would ground out to the shortstop but Hill would score.

The third inning is where the Highlanders would gain all three of their runs making the score 3-1. Wolves would shorten the lead by a walk from Danielle Bosh (Liviona, N.Y / Liviona) and she would then steal second. Hill singled down the right side and the pressure form the speed on the bases caused an error in the field for the Highlanders and Bosh would score.

Starting pitcher Whitney Tyler (Meshoppen, Pa. / Elk Lake) wouldn't let the Highlanders cross the plate form here on out as she recorded five strikeouts and only allowing five hits. The Wolves would retake the lead in the fifth inning. Senior Hayley Gorges (Corning, N.Y. / Corning) got things going for the Wolves as she singled to center field. Hill singled and Eising walked to get the bases loaded. Gorges would score on a pass ball and then Kruse doubled to left field and scored two. This would be enough for the Wolves as they took the first game 5-3. 

Lead Wolf: Freshman catcher Abby Kruse had a day at the plate for the Wolves. She went 2-3 and had 3 RBIs. Her big hit in the fifth inning would lead to the Wolves victory.

Houghton College 7 vs Keuka College 6 – Game two  

Houghton came out in game two with their bats alive as they got on the board first with two runs as they took advantage of the Wolves miscues in the field. They would then add three more to extend the lead to 5-0 in the third inning.

The bottom of the third inning is when Hayley Gorges got things going for the Wolves offense with a single to right field. Teammates Hill and Eising would follow and both single getting the bases loaded. Abby Kruse would then get hit by a pitch bringing in Gorges. Jordan Cole (Campbell. N.Y. / Campbell-Savona) ripped the ball to the center field fence clearing the bases and reaching third base, shortening the lead 5-4.

In the fifth inning freshman Abby Kruse doubled to left field. Jordan Cole would have another big hit for the Wolves as she singled through the right side and scoring Kruse, tying the game 5-5.

The Highlanders would then respond back in the sixth inning adding two runs to the lead. The Wolves would answer back with a single form Gorges and a double from Danielle Bosch. Abby Eising had a sac fly scoring Gorges but the Wolves couldn't come back in time as the Highlanders won game two 7-6.

Lead Wolf: Junior third baseman Jordan Cole had the two big hits for the Wolves. She went 2-4 at the plate and had 4 RBIs.

KC Notes:

• Keuka College is now 2-4 all-time against Houghton College. The last time these two team met was in 2019 where the Highlanders won both games.
• Jordan Coles triple is her second in her career.
• Whitney Tyler has recorded five strikeouts in the first game of the last two doubleheaders.

Up Next for the Wolves: The Wolves go on the road as they travel to Alfred University on Sunday April 18, 2021 for an Empire 8 Conference matchup.