FARMVILLE, Va. – The University of Pennsylvania opened play at the Bank of the James Invitational Friday, falling to Youngstown State 9-1 while topping Hampton 12-0. The split brings the Quakers to 4-3 on the year.
 
Quaker Notemeal
* Senior Kelly Zybura continued her career season, allowing just two hits and collecting six strikeouts across 5.0 IP vs. the Pirates.

* The Quakers drew eleven walks against Hampton, the most in a game since 2024.

* Senior Delaney Smith and sophomore Gigi Ganje lead the team in hits with nine after today.
 
Youngstown State 9, Penn 1
The beginning of this one began as a pitchers dual, with neither side tallying a hit through the first two innings. The first breakthrough came in the third frame, when the Penguins got on the board courtesy of an RBI single.  
 
The Quakers would answer right back in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore catcher Alexis Youngren was able to find open space in the center field, scoring freshman Tannar Keenan for the RBI two-bagger.
 
Unfortunately for the Quakers, that is where the highlights end, as the fourth inning saw the Penguins blow the game wide open. Youngstown State collected eight runs in the fourth to give the game its final score. 
 
Penn 12, Hampton 0
Another game that went scoreless until the third inning, this time the swing went the way of the Quakers. Penn drew eleven walks in the contest and used them to score in a variety of ways.
 
The third inning saw scores on a groundout and a wild pitch, the fourth on a fielder's choice, a steal, and a passed ball, and the fifth on a free pass and a hit by pitch. This small ball approach by the Quakers across the contest's five innings meant only four hits were needed on the game to give the Red and Blue an early exit.
 
Senior Delaney Smith accounted for 3 RBI while fellow senior Kelly Zybura dominated on the mound, allowing only two hits and striking out six. It was a much needed bounce back game for Penn that will carry into the final two days of the tournament.
 
Up Next
The Quakers are back in action tomorrow night when they square off against Longwood and Mount St. Mary's at 5:30 P.M. and 8:00 P.M., respectively.