PRINCETON, N.J. - The near-perfect baseball weather over the weekend brought with it good fortune for the Quakers, as Penn (10-19, 5-6-1 Ivy) split Saturday's doubleheader with Princeton (8-16, 5-4 Ivy) to lock up the team's first Ivy series of the season. The day opened poorly for the Quakers as they dropped a 3-0 decision to the Tigers, but a shift in offensive production and a strong outing from starter Christian Scafidi propelled Penn to a 10-1 victory in the second matchup. 

Game One - Princeton 3, Penn 0
WP: Ben Gross (3-3)
LP:  Mitchell Holcomb (0-4)
SV: None

Game Two - Penn 10, Princeton 1
WP: Christian Scafidi (2-3)
LP: Andrew Gnazzo (1-3)
SV: None

HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME ONE
Similar to Friday's opener, Princeton jumped out to an early lead with a first-inning run off an RBI single yanked to right field. The Tigers followed up with one run each in the third and fourth frames, as well, locking down the final score early. Unlike yesterday, Penn's offense failed to capitalize on any scoring opportunities late in the game, stranding six runners on base despite nearly matching Princeton in total hits.

Sophomore Mitchell Holcomb worked his way through three and two-thirds before surrendering the mound to reliever Brendan Bean. The southpaw freshman dominated in his four and one-third, striking out six while allowing just two hits with no walks. Conversely, Princeton starter Ben Gross tossed a complete game, retiring seven Quakers on strikes and giving up nine hits on the day.

GAME TWO
The second matchup saw much more offensive production from Penn, as the Quakers bucked the trend of the first two games and struck first. In what is becoming a trend, the team did not put any runs on the board until two outs were recorded, plating five in the first inning for the quick lead. Senior Daniel Halevy slotted the first RBI on a double down the left-field line, swinging the momentum in Penn's favor for the remainder of the frame. Junior Matt Tola scored on a bases-loaded walk, and then senior Andrew Murnane knocked two more home on a single into right field. Sophomore Peter Matt close the inning with an RBI single of his own up the middle.

The Quakers continued to roll in the second and third innings, junior Matt McGeagh grabbing an RBI single in the former and Matt jacking a leadoff homer in the latter. Junior Sean Phelan launched a home run of his own -- this time a two-run shot over the right-field wall -- in the sixth frame, and sophomore Chris Adams got in on the action during the seventh with an RBI single into left.

Meanwhile, Penn starter Christian Scafidi worked a masterful performance, notching six innings with five strikeouts and just five hits and three walks. The sophomore duo of Dylan Mulvihill and Jacob Sadowitz closed out the final three frames, combining for two strikeouts with two hits and three walks.

NEXT UP
The Quakers return to Meiklejohn Stadium for a four-game homestand, kicking off the action Tuesday afternoon against fellow Big Five member La Salle. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.