VERO BEACH, Fla. - The Norwich University baseball team opened its slate of spring break games in Florida against Houghton University on Saturday.

The Cadet bats stayed hot as NU swept the Highlanders with a 9-2 win in game one and a 19-5 victory in game two. This marks Norwich's first 4-0 start since the 1939 season.

In game one, NU fell behind 1-0 after one inning before senior shortstop Jacob Parizo (Groton, Conn.) reached on an error that allowed senior catcher Connor McGee (Wakefield, R.I.) to score and knot the game 1-1.

The Cadets took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning on a two-out RBI single by McGee that plated junior right fielder PJ Morales (Bakersfield, Calif.).

The NU bats exploded for seven runs in the top of the seventh, capped by a three-run homer by sophomore center fielder Tyler Callahan (Arlington, Mass.). Morales added an RBI triple while Parizo collected a sacrifice fly. Junior second baseman Ryland Richardson (Windsor, Vt.) and freshman left fielder Jakob Hayes (Arlington, Texas) both had RBI singles in the inning as well.

Sophomore Matt Ingraffia (Lake Grove, N.Y.) picked up the win after allowing just one unearned run on five hits over five innings of work. He walked two batters while striking out two and improves to 1-0 on the season.

Hayes swiped two bases in the win, whine senior designated hitter Michael Koytikh (Melrose, Mass.) and freshman first baseman Ryan Miller (Westhampton, N.Y.) each stole one bag.

In game two, NU trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the fourth inning (after a two-run single by Miller in the first inning) before the bats got hot and rallied for five runs, opening up a 7-3 lead. Freshman shortstop Brock Carpenter (East Berlin, Pa.) delivered an RBI single while junior second baseman Abel Oropeza (Whittier, Calif.) earned an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Morales was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for an RBI while senior third baseman Hayden Roberge (Middlesex, Vt.) drew a bases-loaded walk for an RBI.

The Highlanders struck for two in the top of the fifth to make it a 7-5 game before another offensive rally by the Cadets in the bottom of the frame. Hayes roped an RBI double to left field, Callahan lined an RBI single to center and Roberge delivered a two-run single to center as part of a four-run inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning NU put the game out of reach with eight runs for a 19-5 lead. Sophomore Wyatt Beatini (Oak Island, N.C.) delivered an RBI groundout to start the rally. Carpenter then scored on a wild pitch before Richardson sent an RBI double down the left field line. Freshman pinch-hitter Nolan Knight (Altona, Pa.) ripped a two-run single, sophomore pinch-hitter Ethan Aube (Riverhead, N.Y.) hit an RBI double and Carpenter capped the scoring with an RBI single.

Freshman Ben Emero (Medway, Mass.) started on the bump for NU, scattering 10 hits over four and two-third innings. He allowed five runs (four earned) and one walk while fanning five batters. He picked up his first career win to improve to 1-0.

The Cadets now stand at 4-0 on the season and have a quick turnaround as they face Wilkes on Sunday. Game times are set for 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Lawnwood Park in Fort Pierce, Florida.