THE MIDWEEK MATCHUP: Penn (12-21-1, 6-8-1 Ivy) vs. Delaware (20-17, 7-5 CAA) | Apr. 25 | Newark, Del.

Projected Starter (Penn vs. Delaware)
RHP Robby Cerulle (0-1, 4.71 ERA) vs. TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA)


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PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania baseball team has seen an uptick at the plate of late, averaging 10.25 runs per game over its recently-completed home stand with Cornell -- more than double the season average (5.06 runs/game). Offensive production has risen at nearly every hole in the batting order, with big surges coming from sophomore Peter Matt (.288 BA), senior Andrew Murnane (.285 BA) and freshman Eduardo Malinowski (.338 BA) -- the reigning Ivy Rookie of the Week. As such, Penn (12-21-1, 6-8-1) enters its midweek matchup with Delaware (20-17, 7-5 CAA) boasting a hot streak at the plate, and the Quaker bats will be aiming to capitalize.

The recent explosiveness from new spots in the lineup has only magnified the impact of the Quakers' usual big guns, with the junior trio of Matt McGeagh (.291 BA), Sean Phelan (.317 BA) and Matt O'Neill (.237 BA) combining for 18 RBIs during the four-game home stand. All-in-all, the "small ball" approach of the past few weeks looks to be finally paying off, as even Penn's two losses (both to Cornell) came by just one run apiece. During the game, success at the plate seems to surface in large chunks, as the Quakers have consistently notched two or more innings with multiple runs.

Freshman Robby Cerulle earns his first start as a Quaker after having made 14 appearances thus far into his inaugural campaign. The right-hander has been a key reliever out of the bullpen all season, tossing 21.0 frames with 16 strikeouts and just 18 hits. Backing the freshman up will be the sophomore duo of Jacob Sadowitz and Dylan Mulvihill along with juniors Grant Guillory and John Alan Kendrick, who each threw over the weekend against Cornell.

SCOUTING DELAWARE
The Blue Hens enter the matchup with a 3-2 record over their last five games, faltering on Sunday to James Madison and Lafayette last Tuesday in the Liberty Bell Classic title game at Citizens Bank Park. A powerful offense has helped Delaware to a strong 14-7 home record, with Kyle Baker (.323 BA), Kevin Mohollen (.308 BA) and Erik Bowren (.296 BA) leading the way. The trio combines on the year for 48 RBIs with 24 doubles and five triples, while Mohollen has showcased supreme base-running with 14 steals on 17 attempts.