Box Score PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania softball team overcame an early three-run deficit, but in the end, it came up just short in game one of its three-game series with Harvard. The Quakers fell behind, 8-7, in the fifth and were unable to make a late rally. Penn will look to bounce back in Sunday's doubleheader that begins at 12 p.m.

Notes

* The Quakers' seven runs are the most that they've scored this season. The team had previously scored five runs on three separate occasions. 

* Penn was previously 3-0 when scoring five or more runs. 

* The Red and Blue out-hit the Crimson 10-9 and left just five runners on base to Harvard's eight. 

* The Quakers' five runs are the most that they've scored in a single inning this season. 

*  Freshman Corrie Phillips tallied a career high three RBI against Harvard. 

* Emma Nedley and Phillips combined for four of the team's seven runs scored. 

How it Happened

Despite it being a cold, windy afternoon at Penn Park, the bats for both teams got going early. The Crimson came out and scored three runs right out of the gates and then the Quakers went through their entire lineup, matching with five runs of their own. 

Harvard brought in two runs off of a Morgan Melito single down the right side to make it 3-0 for the Crimson in the top of the first. Down, but certainly not out, Penn had an offensive surge of its own. With two outs, Emma Nedley walked to load the bases and then a Hannah Gibbons single of the middle brought in a run to cut into the Crimson lead. Corrie Phillips tied the score, 3-3, as she placed a single perfectly between third base and over the short stop to bring in two runs. 

The Quakers were not done there. Sarah Ketring followed up with a third-straight hit for the Red and Blue, bringing home Gibbons and Phillips to give Penn a 5-3 lead after one. 

Harvard cut into the Quaker lead with a run in the fourth, but once again the Red and Blue answered in the bottom of the frame. Again, it was Phillips who brought in runs for Penn. The freshman singled up the middle to bring home Nedley and then came in to score herself off of another Ketring single to make it 7-4 for the Quakers. 

1-2-3 innings from both sides sent Penn into the fifth with a three-run lead. However, in the fifth, it was Harvard who brought in two runs to make it 7-6.  Like they did the previous two times, the Red and Blue were unable to answer the Crimson's scoring surge as the Quakers headed into the final two innings with a one-run lead. 

For a second straight inning, Harvard brought in two runs - this time to take the lead. Teagan Shaw singled up the middle as Penn found itself down, 8-7. 

With one last chance to tie or win the game in the bottom of the seventh, Sarah Cwiertnia led off with a single to put the tying run on base and the winning run at the plate. Running for Cwiertnia, Clare Sebastianelli advanced to second to put herself in scoring position with one out. Hannah Gibbons then walked to put a second runner on base. With two on and two outs, Phillips stepped up to the plate. While the freshman had found success earlier in the game, she hit a hard line drive that hit off of the pitcher and ended the late-rally.