NATCHITOCHES, La. - The University of Pennsylvania baseball program opened its season on the road Friday evening, falling in an extra-innings affair to Northwestern State, 2-1. Following a true pitching battle, the Demons broke the tie in the bottom of the 12th inning, scoring the game-winning run on an errant throw to third base. For the Quakers, the combined pitching of senior LHP Gabe Kleiman and sophomore RHP Mitchell Holcomb stood out, as the two combined for 11 innings, 15 strikeouts and just one run.

Northwestern State 2, Penn 1
WP: Jose Vasquez (1-0)
LP: Cole Sichley (0-1)
SV: None

HOW IT HAPPENED
Northwestern State (3-2) grabbed an early 1-0 lead late in the second inning, but Penn (0-1) battled back in the fourth with a run of its own to knot the score. Senior OF Andrew Murnane banged a leadoff double into right field and, after advancing to third on a foul ball, sprinted home behind junior C Mat O'Neill's infield sacrifice to shortstop. The only other offensive push the Quakers provided came in the sixth inning, when sophomore second baseman Chris Adams notched a double to get into scoring position. The Demons' pitching staff proved up the challenge, though, finishing off the final at-bat to maintain the gridlock.

Meanwhile, Kleiman orchestrated a six-inning performance with little to no hiccups along the way, registering six strikeouts as he surrendered just the lone second-inning run. Holcomb aimed to outwork his senior counterpart, composing five innings in relief as he gave up nothing but a few hits en route to striking out nine Demon batters. Northwestern State had similar success with their own pitching rotation, as the Demons relied on starter Nathans Jones through seven and two-thirds innings before sending in Vasquez who was able to secure the victory.

NEXT UP
The Quakers return to action early Saturday afternoon against Northwestern State at 1 p.m., playing the first of two in a doubleheader aiming to avoid incoming inclement weather.