HOUGHTON, N.Y.   – Hilbert College split their non-conference series against Houghton University this afternoon in a set of baseball games originally scheduled to be played earlier this week.

The Highlanders used a big 6th inning in Game 1 to push past the Hawks in a 12-2 finish while Hilbert rebounded for a 4-2 night cap victory.

Jack Duffek went 4-for-7, led with 2RBI and scored two runs this afternoon, becoming the first Hawk to collect three hits in one seven-inning game.

Game 1:

The Hawks were geared up for early scores in the first inning, but back-to-back throws to home stopped them in their tracks.  Then trailing 1-0 at the top of the 2nd, Thomas Evans singled, stole second and sprinted home off Patrick Whelan's triple.  Jack Duffek then hit an RBI single to lift the Hawks 2-1. The Highlanders manufactured nine runs off four hits and a pair of throwing errors in the 6th to jump out to the final 12-2 score. 

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Thomas Evans scored one run and went 2-for-3, while Patrick Whelan's RBI triple and Jack Duffek's RBI single were the big hits of the first game.
• Andrew Cole (2-2) allowed two hits and two earned runs and struck out four over four innings of work.

Game 2:

Hilbert built a 2-1 lead after three innings and then added another two runs in the fourth to earn the 4-2 win before dark.  With two runners on, Derek Martinez' single to center plated Jack Duffek right out of the gate.   The Highlanders sacrifice their first run in at the bottom half which knotted the game 1-1. Jack Duffek's RBI double to right center scored Jairo Santos before the Hawks shut-down Houghton for the second inning in a row in the 3rd.  Hilbert scored two more runs in the 4th.  Martinez earned first base with a hit to center field and made it home before Ben Chowaniec's double down the right field line scored Emmanuel McClain.  The Highlanders responded with one addition run the 4th off a fielder's choice RBI but that was it for the afternoon.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Brennen Hediger improved to 2-1 after allowing two earned runs, five hits with no walks while striking out three in six innings.
• Brendan Walsh collected his third save this spring facing three batters and striking out one in the 7th.
• Jack Duffek earned three hits in the night cap win, poking an RBI double while Derek Martinez went 2-for-4 with with an RBI. Jairo Santos stole two bases, scored one run and earned a hit in the win.

Up Next:

The Hawks (6-7) will wait until Monday, March 20th for their next non-conference double header.  Hilbert will travel to Medaille University's Color Park for the 3pm series.