BOX SCORE (PDF)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The University of Pennsylvania baseball team was not able to overcome an early deficit Wednesday against Valparaiso, as the Crusaders broke the game open in the middle innings with five runs in the fifth and three in the sixth, leading to a 16-3 decision. The Quakers face a quick turnaround with four games in the next four days after finishing the two-game set with Valparaiso.

Valparaiso 16, Penn 3
WP: Alex Dirienzo (1-1)
LP: Mitchell Holcomb (0-1)

BY THE NUMBERS
*5 - Sean Phelan extended his season-opening hit streak to five Wednesday with two hits, including an RBI double to right in the seventh inning.
*6 - Six Quakers made their season debut in the defeat, with three of the six appearing in their first collegiate game (Willy Thomas, Jerrette Lee, Jacob Sadowitz).
*8 - Eight of the nine starters in the lineup collected at least one hit on the day.
*9 - The team's nine hits Wednesday set a new season-high.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Freshman starting pitcher Mitchell Holcomb made his first career start on the mound for the Quakers and found himself in trouble early, but managed to settle in and post scoreless innings from the second through the fourth. Holcomb ended the day with five strikeouts over three and two-thirds innings pitched, while issuing no walks.

Penn had its chances to cut the into the deficit in both the second and fourth innings, but ultimately could not get the timely hit leading to two runners left stranded in scoring position despite totaling nine hits in the contest. Valparaiso broke the game open in the fifth inning with five runs on four hits and an error to stretch their lead to seven, while also combining for nine runs in the final four innings to put the game out of reach.

The Quakers posted two runs in the seventh on back-to-back two-out knocks from Tim Graul and Sean Phelan to bring in both runs. However, both were stranded in scoring position at the end of the frame, thwarting the comeback attempt for Penn in the late innings.

Valparaiso (6-5) benefited from three two-run home runs on the day, as well as three-hit performances from James Stea and Patrick Donahue.

WHAT'S NEXT
Penn takes on St. Bonaventure Thursday at 2 p.m. from Field #5 of the New York Mets Minor League Complex before a scheduled off day on Friday. The Quakers then wrap up their stay in Port St. Lucie, Fla. with a doubleheader against Fairfield Saturday, and a single game with the Stags Sunday morning.