PHILADELPHIA— The University of Pennsylvania softball team concluded play in the Mizuno Classic at Palmer Park on the campus of the University of Virginia earlier today. Playing games against Delaware and Virginia, Penn fell to 1-5 on the season with the losses. 

FINAL: Delaware 11, Penn 0
Delaware got off to an early start offensively, putting runs on the board in the first inning against Kelly Zybura. Katie Schievert laying down a bunt for a single in the leadoff spot, advancing on a sacrifice bunt from Grace Hausamann. Hausamann, running through the play, reached base on a fielding error that also allowed Schievert to make it to third. Hausamann made an attempt to steal second, but was gunned down by catcher Alexis Youngren and thrown out. Sydney Shaffer earned a walk, putting runners on the corners again for the Blue Hens as Mary Beth Calahan stepped into the box. Calahan sent a ball into left field for a single, scoring Schievert and moving Shaffer to second. Gianna Costaro then sent the ball over the left field fence, clearing the bases and increasing Delaware's lead, 4-0.

The Blue Hens struck again in the bottom of the third, Chloe Blanz hitting a two-run blast over the right field fence to extend the lead to 6-0. Peyton Bean replaced Zybura in relief, finishing out the inning for the Quakers. After a short half inning at the plate for Penn, Delaware came back out in the fourth, bats a blazing in their small-ball attack. Shaffer took first after being hit by a pitch, advancing to second as Calahan earned a walk. Costaro put the ball in play, reaching on a fielding error by shortstop Dani Freer, loading the bases for the Blue Hens. Ryleigh Thomas stepped into the box, pinch hitting for Morgan Hess, sending a single to shortstop, scoring Shaffer and advancing Calahan and Costaro. Blantz took her stance, sending the ball back to Bean and scoring Calahan as Costaro and Thomas while taking first. Morgan Sullivan relieved Bean in the circle, striking out Ellie Mulligan (pinch-hitting for Schievert). Ellie Talley came in to pinch-hit for Marlayna Capaldi, sending a double down the left field line to clear the bases. At the end of the fourth, the Blue Hens controlled the game, leading 11-0.

The game ended after the top of the fifth inning as a result of the mercy rule, adding another loss to the Red and Blue's record as they prepared for their second game against Virginia.

Final: Virginia 3, Penn 0
The away team in this matchup, Penn took to the batter's box first with senior Madison Bauerle leading off. Sending the ball into right field, Bauerle cruised into first base to put a runner on early for the Quakers. Dani Freer came up next, striking out against Virginia's right-hander Ava Hodges. Ella Utschig was patient at the plate, pushing a full count to earn a walk and put runners on first and second for freshman Gigi Ganje. Putting the ball in play, Ganje raced up the line to first, reaching on a fielder's choice while Bauerle and Utschig advanced. Bases loaded, designated player Rachel Riley sent the ball back to Hodges, setting up a 1-2-3 double play to end the top of the first. 

The Virginia Cavaliers took the early lead with an inside-the-park home run from leadoff hitter Jade Hylton. Senior Kelly Ayer stepped up next for the Cavaliers, earning a walk on four straight balls. Despite falling behind early, freshmen RHP Ainsley Pemberton regained control, taking care of the next three batters to strand Ayer and send her team back to the dugout. From there, both teams stayed deadlocked, unable to get going offensively until the fifth inning. Virginia senior Kailyn Jones hit a triple into left field, putting herself in scoring position with one out on the board. Hylton sent a sacrifice fly into right field, bringing in Jones to score and notching her second RBI of the day. A flyout from Ayer ended the inning. but not before the lead had doubled, 2-0.

To start the sixth inning, junior Courtney Layne took over the circle for Hodges, retiring the Quakers lineup in order to preserve the lead and bring the Cavaliers back to the plate. Pemberton stepped back into the circle for the Red and Blue, squaring off against Virginia sophomore Bella Cabral. Cabral doubled into right field, with speedy Kamyria Woody-Giggets coming in to pinch-run at second. Junior Kassidy Hudson took her stance in the box, pinch hitting for sophomore Macee Eaton. Laying down a sacrifice bunt, Eaton was thrown out at first while Woody-Giggets advanced to third with only one out recorded. Kelsey Hackett came in to pinch hit for Mary Caroline Hackett, sending a fly ball to right field to score Woody-Giggets for Virginia's third run of the game. 

The Quakers were unable to get offense going in the top of the seventh, securing the win for the Cavaliers with a final score of 3-0.

Up Next
Penn softball will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to participate in the Purple Classic at GCU from March 7-9. They are slotted to play five games in three days in the tournament before returning home for their first game in Penn Park on Tuesday, March 11 against Rider.

For the latest on Penn Softball, follow @Penn_Softball on X and Instagram, and on the web at PennAthletics.com.    

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