FORT PIERCE, FL- On the last day of spring break for the Highlanders, Cairn dropped a non-conference doubleheader to Western Connecticut State University on Friday. The Highlanders would fall 5-2 in the first game, before losing 6-5 on a walk-off bases loaded single in the bottom of the seventh.
GAME 1
The Colonials jumped out early in game number one after a leadoff single and walk to put runners on first and second. Western Connecticut would move the runners to second and third, before back to back singles would push across the Colonials first two runs of the afternoon.
The bats went silent for both teams as a pitcher's duel broke out. Cairn would be down to their final five outs before they started to mount another late-inning comeback. Jake Allen got things going for the Highlanders with a single through the infield. Brian Amantia promptly followed up the Allen single with a single of this own. Nate Wilson was the next batter and he put a charge into the ball, but the leftfielder did a great job of getting a jump on the ball and was able to track the ball down for the second out of the inning.
Emilio Alvarez took a similar approach to his at bat, and roped a double down the left field line which allowed Allen to score easily, and for Amantia to sprint home.
However, the lead was short lived. In the top of the seventh, the Colonials scored three times with two outs to slam the door on the Highlanders efforts for a win.
GAME 2
Western Connecticut quickly loaded the bases in the first inning and scored three times before the Highlanders could end the inning.
Another pitcher's duel broke out in game two, as the Highlanders trailed the Colonials 3-0 until the top of the fifth. Three singles to lead off the fifth from Brett Marks,
Daniel Morales, and Mason McKinley cut into the Western Connecticut lead 3-1. The Highlanders started playing small ball to move runners around.
Andrew Philips put down a sacrifice bunt, but was able to reach safely on an error from the catcher. Jake Allen followed suit and put down a bunt for hit and found the dead space between first basement and the pitcher. Nate Wilson again came through with a two RBI single to put the Highlanders on top 5-3.
Ben Spadea came in to hold the lead for the Highlanders. He issued a leadoff walk before settling in and retiring his first out. However, he would only face one more batter before handing the ball over to Isaac Morrison. Morrison came in and gave up back to back singles which led to one Western Connecticut run.
Sam Dralle came out of the pen to shut down the Colonials for the final two outs of the inning.
Dralle breezed through the Colonials in the sixth inning and the Highlanders needed three outs to earn the split with Western Connecticut.
The Colonials got the first two runners on before they would tie the game at 5-5. The Highlanders would intentially load the bases to set up a force at any bag. It was the Western Connecticut catcher who came through with his third hit of the game to secure the win and the sweep for the day.
Weather depending, the Highlanders will be back in action, back in Pennsylvania, Wednesday afternoon as they will take on Eastern University. First pitch will be at 3:30.
