CLEARWATER, Fla. - The University of the Pennsylvania softball team wrapped up its first weekend in Clearwater at the USF Spring Invitational. The Quakers fell to Troy, 8-3, on Sunday to finish the weekend 2-3. 

Notes

- Penn's home run was its fourth of the season and its third three-run shot in the last three games. 

- 10 of the Red and Blue's 14 runs have come via home runs. 

- The eight runs allowed by the Quakers are just three fewer than they had allowed in the four game prior combined. 

- Emma Nedley recorded her first career home run against Troy. The Penn freshman has been hitting

How it Happened

Making her second start, freshman Julia Longo got the nod in the circle on Sunday against Troy. Longo started the afternoon strong as she recorded her first strikeout of the day, catching the batter looking to end the first with a runner on third. The freshman added a second strikeout in the second. 

The Quaker bats heated up in the second. Emma Nedley reached on a single to left while Yang followed up with a single of her own down the third base line. A sacrifice bunt from Corrie Phillips advanced runners into scoring position, but back-to-back pop ups ended the inning with runners stranded. 

Penn got the bats going again in the third, putting runners on base early. A pair of singles and steals from Jessica England and Sam Pederson put runners on second and third with one out once again for the Red and Blue. Like the inning prior however, the Quakers were unable to bring either of them home, suffering back-to-back outs. 

Troy ended the scoreless streak in the bottom of the third. Madeline Porter hit a double through right center, scoring two runs. Taylor Corbett made it a four-run inning for the Trojans, hitting a double of her own to bring home two more. Replacing Longo, Jennifer Brann finished the inning with two straight strikeouts as the Quakers found themselves down 4-0. 

The Red and Blue responded in the fifth. England and Pederson got the bats going with back-to-back singles. Sarah Cwiertnia made it a third straight single, to load the bases, but Pederson was thrown out at second, putting runners at just first and third instead. The freshman, Nedley, as she had all weekend showed up big at the plate. She hit her first home run of career to bring Penn back within one, 4-3. 

After throwing two scoress frames, Brann gave up a solo home run in the sixth as the Quakers fell behind, 5-3. A two-run double by Tailor extended the Trojan lead to 8-3, making it two four-run innings for Troy. 

A 1-2-3 inning inning by the Quakers ended the game as they wrapped up the first weekend of the USF Spring Invitational.

Up Next

Penn will have Monday off, but will get back in action on Tuesday against Boston College and Central Michigan.