LANGHORNE, PA- The Highlanders took to the diamond for their home opener on a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon in Langhorne, PA. Looking to build off yesterday's split series against Medaille College, the Highlanders handled business in today's doubleheader, sweeping the Patriots by final scores of 15-4 in game one, and 12-1 in game 2.
 
GAME 1
 
The Highlanders jumped on the Patriots early in this contest, notching the first run of the game on an aggressive double steal call which sent Jacob Allen and Brian Amantia in motion. A Valley Forge throwing error scored Allen for the first run of the game. Over the next three innings, the Highlanders poured it on, tallying 5 runs to take a commanding 5-0 lead. The hit parade marched forward, as the Highlanders used a 4 run fourth inning to extend their lead to 9-1.  The big blow was struck by shortstop Nate Wilson, as the sophomore knocked in Andrew Phillips and Jacob Allen with his single in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Highlanders coasted over the next three inning, keeping the Patriots at bay en route to a 15-4 victory. The Highlanders received ample production from a variety of different players, as Alejandro Fernandez was nearly perfect going 3-3 with 2 RBIs. Catcher Mason McKinley was equally as impressive in his first start behind the plate, going 3-5 with 3 RBIs and one towering double to the left field fence. Wilson also went 3-5, and finished with a game-high 5 RBIs. On the bump, Albert Taylor was dazzling, lasting 5 innings, giving up one lone hit, and one earned run to go along with 5 strikeouts. The Highlanders turned to Isaac Morrison to close out the game, and the freshman tossed a 1-2-3 final frame to close out the game for the Highlanders.
 
GAME 2
 
The second game of the doubleheader started a tad differently, as the Patriots scored first to put the Highlanders in a 1-0 hole after the top of the first inning. However, the Highlanders quickly responded, answering with 3 runs in the bottom of the first by the way of a Brett Marks RBI single. The three run inning was just an appetizer for what the Highlanders offense would produce in the next few innings. Brian Amantia started the rally, as the freshman unloaded on a fastball in the middle of the plate for the first homer of his collegiate career. Amantia's homer sparked the Highlanders, as the very next inning, Daniel Morales absolutely demolished a high fastball through the wind to dead center field for the junior's first after a couple near-misses over the first two games. Cairn did not look back, tacking on 5 more runs and cruising to a 12-1 victory and a series sweep of Valley Forge. The Highlanders played a consistent game, with greatly improved defense to go along with their offensive outburst. On the mound, Carson Conradt showed signs of potential, tossing 4 innings, giving up 4 hits, and one earned run.  Most impressively, Conradt locked in and shut down the Patriots after giving up his only run in the top of the first inning. The Highlander bullpen was top notch as well, with Eric Stinglen tallying four strikeouts in the top of the fifth inning, and Nate Wilson closing out the last two innings, giving up only 2 hits to go along with 4 strikeouts of his own.
 
With the sweep, the Highlanders improve to 3-1, and will be in action next when they travel to Brooklyn, New York to take on the Bears of St Joseph's College on March 3.  First pitch scheduled for 12:00 PM.