KENNESAW, Ga. – The University of Pennsylvania baseball team was dealt its first loss of the season, with Kennesaw State rolling to an 8-1 victory to even the series.
 
NOTES
*With the loss, Penn is now 0-2 on February 29. Luckily, the leap day only comes once every four years.
 
*Penn avoided the shutout with a run in the top of the ninth. The Quakers have been shut out just twice over their last 56 games.
 
*Freshman Ben Miller marked his first collegiate start with a leadoff double in the top of the ninth.
 
*Peter Matt went 2-for-4 today with an RBI. Two of his team-leading four hits this season are doubles.
 
*Despite knocking just five hits on the day, Penn set up multiple scoring opportunities. The Quakers were unable to capitalize with 10 runners left on base.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Starting pitcher Mitchell Holcomb had an excellent start to the game. Through his first three innings of work, he struck out six batters, walked one, and allowed one earned run off two hits.
 
However, the hosts blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded and two outs, a double off the right-field wall put Kennesaw State up 4-0. An RBI single made it 5-0 after five innings, and a three-run seventh inning extended it to a commanding, 8-0 lead.
 
Dylan Mulvihill took the mound in the bottom of the eighth and retired the Owls in order. Miller kept the long-shot comeback alive with a leadoff double in the top of the ninth, then Matt plated him to put Penn on the board. The deficit proved to be too much to overcome, however, as a double play ended the game and handed Penn its first loss of the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Quakers still have an opportunity to take the series. Penn will square up against Kennesaw State one final time with first pitch for the series finale slated for 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.