**SCHEDULE CHANGE: Friday Game MOVED to Sunday due to Inclement Weather**

THE SERIES: Penn (12-22-1, 6-8-1 Ivy) vs. Columbia (14-24, 9-6 Ivy) | Apr. 28-29 | New York, N.Y.

Projected Starters (Penn vs. Columbia)
Game One: Saturday, Apr. 28 at 12:00 p.m.
LHP Gabe Kleiman (1-6, 4.64 ERA) vs. RHP Jordan Chriss (2-4, 6.55 ERA)

Game Two: Saturday, Apr. 28 at ~3:00 p.m.
RHP Christian Scafidi (2-3, 4.30 ERA) vs. LHP Ben Wereski (1-4, 7.59 ERA)

Game Three: Sunday, Apr. 29 at 1:00 p.m.
RHP Mitchell Holcomb (0-4, 4.32 ERA) vs. RHP Harrisen Egly (2-3, 4.40 ERA)


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PHILADELPHIA - Following last weekend's series of close calls and tight games with Cornell, Penn aims to close the gap on second-placed Columbia, as just three games separate the Lions and Quakers with conference play winding to a close. With all of six games remaining on the Ivy schedule, Penn requires a few things to fall their way in order to reach the Championship Series, but knocking off Columbia would be a massive first step in the program's quest to return the decisive best-of-three title round.

Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Delaware aside, the Quakers' offensive capabilities have exploded as of late, averaging just over 10 runs per game over the previous four matchups. In particular, the rookie sensation Eduardo Malinowski has been on fire, batting a brilliant 11-of-22 the past five games while earning seven RBIs and two homers. Junior Matt McGeagh (.285 BA) continues to lead the team in total RBIs, pushing across 36 on the season thus far, while both senior Andrew Murnane (.294 BA) and sophomore Chris Adams (.300 BA) have played major roles in the recently successful "small ball" approach. 

Meanwhile, the pitching staff has been unyielding when the three primary starters -- sophomores Christian Scafidi and Mitchell Holcomb along with senior Gabe Kleiman -- have been tossing their best stuff, leading to correspondingly strong performances out of the bullpen. Juniors Grant Guillory and John Alan Kendrick (6.27 ERA) have maintained their veteran status within the rotation, and the freshman trio of Robby Cerulle (4.30 ERA), Cole Sichley (7.71 ERA) and Brendan Bean (1.31 ERA) have commanded respect as capable relievers as well. Sophomores Dylan Mulvihill (1.42 ERA) and Jacob Sadowitz continue to serve as the bullpen's primary closers, consistently entering games late to shut down opposing batting orders. 


SCOUTING COLUMBIA
The Lions' batting order continues to roll off the efforts of its four top athletes -- Joe Engel (.333 BA), Liam McGill (.320 BA), Randell Kanemaru (.316 BA) and Chandler Bengtson (.281) -- who alone produce a heavy majority of the team's RBIs, totaling 88 on the year to go along with 17 home runs and 32 doubles. The strong offensive effort has propelled Columbia into its current second-place standing in the Ivy League, as the team sits three games ahead of the Quakers with six remaining in conference play.

As for Columbia's pitching rotation, both Harrisen Egly (2-3, 4.40 ERA) and Ben Wereski (1-4, 7.59) have each earned nine starts on the year, combining for 85.2 total innings pitched. The remaining starts have been split amongst a few major staff members, including Timmy Post (4.76 ERA), Jordan Chriss (6.55 ERA) and Ty Wiest (8.51 ERA), who have compiled six wins on 17 total starts.