FORT PIERCE, FL- After an off day, the Cairn Highlanders were back in action as they took on the Washington College (MD) Shoremen, on a beautiful Thursday afternoon.  The Shoremen would get the better of the Highlanders winning by a score of 13-6. 

Cairn jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.  Jake Allen would get things going for the Highlanders with a lead off single.  As he has done so many times before, Allen then promptly stole second to get into scoring position for the heart of the order.  Emilio Alvarez then singled up the middle scoring Jake Allen easily.  After Alejandro Fernandez walked, which loaded the bases for Cairn, it would be Brett Marks that came through with a big hit to center field scoring two runs. 

Washington College took little time trying to cut into the Cairn lead.  In the bottom of the first, the Shoremen got a two-out single from Ryan Donnelly for their first run of the game.  Later in the inning, Washington capitalized off of a Cairn error to score the second run of the inning and cut the lead to one.

Cairn came up with a two-out rally of their own in the top of the second.  Brian Amantia doubled to left field and came around to score on a Nate Wilson single.  Cairn quickly got back one of the runs from the previous innings, to increase their lead to 4-2. 

After smooth sailing for Eric Stinglen in the bottom of the second, Cairn would add another run in the top of the third.  The aggressive baserunning style of the Highlanders has been messing with opponents timing.  Daniel Morales walked and starting dancing around on first base.  After a few attempts to try and nab the baserunner, the Shoremen pitcher threw the ball away and Morales was able to reach third on the error.  Morales would later score on a wild pitch, and the Highlanders were safely up 5-2.
The Highlanders got themselves into trouble in the fourth inning.  Washington College got two runners on quickly in the fourth and started making the Highlanders pay for the free bases.  A single to center field would drive home the first run of the inning.  A single through right side brought home another run and the Highlanders saw their lead cut to one run.  Then an infield loaded the bases for Washington.  The Highlanders would retire a Washington batter on a fielders choice, but two runs were able to come home which gave Washington the lead at 6-5.  The Shoremen went on to score 11 times in the fourth and when the Highlander got the final out, the score would be 13-5.

Nat Ross came in with two outs in the fourth and did a fantastic job of keeping Washington off of the scoreboard.  The freshman tossed 4.1 innings giving up no runs, on four hits, one walk, and striking out three batters. 

The Highlanders loaded the bases in their half of the fifth, and got into the Washington bullpen, but Cairn was not able to push a run across.
Nate Wilson scored the final run for the Highlanders in the ninth.  He led off the inning with a single to the left side.  Wilson stole second base and came around to score when Fernandez reached on an error.  However, the lead was too big for the Highlanders to come back from and Washington secured the final two outs of the inning and the 13-6 victory.

Cairn will wrap up their spring break trip tomorrow with a doubleheader against Western Connecticut State.  First pitch will be at 9:30 am.