CLEARWATER, Fla. - The University of Pennsylvania softball team opened up its 2018 season on Friday as the Quakers played Central Michigan and Wright State. The Quakers came up just short in both games, losing 2-0 to Central Michigan giving up two late runs and then 14-2 to Wright in extra innings. Penn will play two more games on Saturday as the Quakers go up against the College of Charleston at 12:30 and the University of South Florida at 5:15. 

Inside the Numbers
* Sam Pederson led all Penn batters with a .429 batting average. The junior went 3 for 7 at the plate.

* Penn's starting pitchers, Mason Spichiger and Jennifer Brann, each gave up two runs or less. Spichiger had a 2.62 era allowing just five hits in 5.1 innings, walking no batters in the process. Brann allowed just one run while striking out three batters. The sophomore earned a 2.33 ERA, giving up just five hits in six innings. 

* The Quakers left 12 runners on base on Friday. That included having the bases loaded in the first inning in the loss to Central Michigan and two runners on third early in the game against Wright State.

* The Red and Blue had 10 hits on the day compared to their opponents who had 16. 

* All 16 of the runs that Penn allowed came in the sixth inning or later. Central Michigan scored two runs in the sixth, while Wright State scored one in the sixth, one in the seventh, and then 12 in the eighth.

How it Happened

Senior Mason Spichiger got the start in the circle for the Quakers in their opening game of 2018. Despite earning the eventual loss, Spichiger had a good day allowing just five hits while walking no batters.

It looked as if the senior would have the run support to help get the team's first win of the season as Jessica England, Jurie Joyner, and Corey Burrough all walked to load the bases in the first inning. However, with two outs Molly Oretsky grounded to the pitcher who threw home to get the force out and end the inning with three runners stranded. 

The Red and Blue wouldn't advance a runner past first base the rest of the game. In the sixth inning, with a runner on first, Spichiger allowed a home run to left field as two runs came in. With just one inning remaining to rally, Penn went three up, three down to fall to Central Michigan 2-0. 

Penn looked to bounce back against Wright State, which was 0-11 coming in and had lost 11-4 to The College of Charleston earlier in the day. Sophomore Jennifer Brann started for the Quakers, and the second-year pitcher had a fine day allowing just five hits and striking out three batters as she went on to pitch 5.1 scoreless innings. 

The Quakers got on the board first. After a double from Corey Burrough, Brann showed her versatility as a hitter by bringing her fellow sophomore home with a double to right center. In the bottom of the third, the Red and Blue bats once again got going as England and Lucy Yang each got on base. With another double to left center, this time from Joyner, England scored while Yang advanced to third where she would stay. With two outs, Penn grounded into a force out at second base to end the inning. 

In the bottom of the fourth, the Quakers once again left a runner stranded on third, this time Raven Houck who reached on a fielder's choice. Houck stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. With just one out, though, Penn was unable to bring her home as Brann struck out swinging and Clare Sebastianelli grounded out. 

Up 2-0 headed into the bottom of the sixth, Penn was just four outs away from coming away with a victory. However, Brann allowed two of her five hits in the sixth which allowed Wright State to score on a sacrifice fly heading into the seventh. After Brann allowed a triple on the first hitter of the seventh inning, Abigail Abramson came on in relief. The freshman, getting the first action of her collegiate career, struck out two of the first three hitters that she faced but then allowed a single which scored the runner from third to tie the game. 

Penn was unable to walk-off in the bottom of the seventh, forcing extra innings. The two teams would follow the International Extra Innings Tiebreaker meaning that each inning would start with a runner on second. In the top of the eighth, the Quakers allowed 12 runs. Down 14-2 headed into the bottom of the eighth, Penn went three up, three down to finish the game and end the day 0-2. 

What's Next
Penn will continue the USF Under Armour Invitational as they play two more games on Saturday. The Quakers will go up against the College of Charleston at 12:30 and then the University of South Florida at 5:15 as they go for their first wins of the season.