CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The University of Pennsylvania softball team opened play at the Catamount Classic Friday, dropping both games to Ohio, 11-2, and Western Carolina, 4-2.

Quaker Notemeal
* Sophomore Gigi Ganje continues her 2026 tear, hitting two more home runs against Ohio. Her season total is up to seven in 12 games.
* Her statistical running mate, senior Delaney Smith, also continued her great year with another home run of her own against Western Carolina.

Ohio 11, Penn 2
Despite finding themselves down 3-0 after the top of the first inning, the game started as good as it possibly could for the Quakers. On the very first pitch of Penn's offensive day, sophomore Gigi Ganje homered for her sixth of the year to put the Red and Blue on the board as quickly as possible.
 
Unfortunately for the Quakers, that is where most of the good times end. Colleen Bare continued her good year for the Bobcats, homering to bring in one of two RBI on the day. Two more runs would come in for Ohio to put the Quakers down 6-1 after three. Penn just could not dig out of the hole, surrendering five more runs across the fourth and fifth inning, but not before Ganje could tack on another home run to give the contest it's 11-2 final score.
 
Western Carolina 4, Penn 2
After allowing 13 runs to the Catamounts in the season opener, the Quakers played a far more level game this time around. With weather delays throughout the contest, Penn could not get into a rhythm offensively. Six Quakers accounted for Penn's six hits against Western Carolina.
 
Down 4-0 entering the sixth, senior Delaney Smith took care of business by knocking her third home run of '26. Later, Ganje was able to bring home Tannar Keenan via a run-scoring single, but the comeback would fall short and Penn would fall, 4-2.
 
Up Next
The Quakers square off against Ohio and Robert Morris in Day 2 of the Catamount Classic.