Penn Softball Rallies Late To Post 3-2 Victory Over University of Delaware
April 25, 2012
• Boxscore
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The University of Pennsylvania softball team rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth and one in the seventh as the Quakers posted a 3-2 comeback victory over the University of Delaware Wednesday night at Penn Park.
The Blue Hens (11-37-1) took the lead with an unearned run in the top of the second inning. Kaitlyn Breneman was on first base with one out when Marisa Newman singled to rightfield, and she came around to score when the ball was misplayed in the outfield by the Quakers’ Brooke Coloma.
Delaware extended its lead to 2-0 in the fifth by adding a run without the benefit of a hit. Maggie Creciun led off with a walk, and after she advanced to second on a wild pitch, she stole third and then crossed the plate when the throw by Penn catcher Elysse Gorney was off the mark.
Meanwhile Blue Hen pitcher Chenxi Jiao limited the Quakers (28-15) to just two hits through five scoreless innings, until Penn finally broke through in the sixth. The Quakers quickly loaded the bases on singles by Sydney Turchin and Gorney followed by a walk to Kayla Dahlerbruch, and one out later Jessica Melendez delivered an RBI single to left to make it a 2-1 game. Georgia Guttadauro then lofted a sacrifice fly to right, chasing home Gorney to bring Penn even.
The Blue Hens attempted to take the lead right back in the top of the seventh as singles by Brittney Noons and Alicea Coy put runners on the corners with two out, but Quakers relief pitcher Alexis Borden retired Michelle McKinnon on a flyout to left to escape the jam.
Karina Rios then doubled to leftcenter with one out in the bottom half, and after she advanced to third on a wild pitch, she scored the winning run on a single up the middle by Turchin.
Borden, who allowed one unearned run on three hits during four relief innings, improved to 19-4 on the season for the Quakers. Jiao gave up three earned runs on seven hits while dropping to 4-21 for Delaware.
Coy and McKinnon (at right) each finished 2 for 4 to lead the Blue Hen attack while Jessica Grisler, Lara Andrews, Newman and Noons added a single apiece.
Delaware returns to Colonial Athletic Association play on Saturday with a 12 noon doubleheader at UNCW.
