KENNESAW, Ga. – The University of Pennsylvania baseball team lost its final game against Kennesaw State in heartbreaking fashion, with the Owls snatching a 6-5 win on a walk-off, two-run double.
 
NOTES
*Eduardo Malinowski led the Quakers with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored today. He came up clutch when the Quakers needed him most, smashing a two-run, go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth.
 
*Freshman Owen Coady impressed in his debut for Penn. He pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and just one hit allowed.
 
*The Quakers appeared to have the upper hand throughout much of the game. However, Penn could not capitalize with runners on the bags as it stranded nine. Seven were left in scoring position.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Quakers jumped out to an early, 1-0 lead in the top of the first courtesy of an RBI single from Josh Hood. Penn threatened again in the second, loading the bases with two outs, but could not capitalize.
 
Joe Miller did well to silence the Owls' offense through the first three innings, but the hosts would eventually field a response. A pair of walks to start the fourth inning put runners on first and second before a pair of RBI singles gave Kennesaw a 2-1 lead. A wild pitch later in the inning extended that lead to 3-1.
 
After the scoring flurry, the game immediately sped up. Both teams combined for just one hit between the fifth and seventh innings.
 
Down 3-1 in the top of the eighth, Penn clawed its way back into the game. Malinowski and Jackson Petersen both singled, then Chris Adams took a pitch to the shoulder to load the bases. Another HBP, this time on Andrew Hernandez brought one in, then a walk drawn by Tommy Courtney tied the game at 3-3.
 
Kevin Eaise quickly retired the Kennesaw State side in the bottom of the eighth to give Penn the opportunity to take the lead. The Quakers hot offense did just that.
 
Peter Matt led off with a single, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. His position on the basepath would eventually be rendered meaningless, as Malinowski came up with yet another big hit. The former Ivy League Rookie of the Year got aggressive with a 3-1 count and smashed a home run over the center-field wall to give Penn a 5-3 lead.
 
Unfortunately, the hosts still had an opportunity to respond in the bottom of the inning. The Owls quickly loaded the bases with one out and cut to within one with an RBI single through the left-side gap. On the next at-bat, a two-run double to left field gave Kennesaw State a walk-off victory.
 
UP NEXT
Penn will look to bounce back next week in the sunshine state. The Quakers will open a three-game series against FIU on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.