The Penn men's baseball is looking to end a nine-game losing streak when it heads north to face Yale and Brown. The Penn baseball team takes to the road this weekend for four games that will likely determine the course of the rest of its season. Traveling to Yale for a doubleheader at noon tomorrow and then on to Brown for a twinbill Sunday at noon, the Quakers (5-19, 2-6 Ivy League) are trying to snap out of a nine-game losing streak. "We've got 12 games [left] in the league. This team has got to right itself and the only way they're going to right themselves is by winning," Penn pitching coach Bill Wagner said. "They've got a challenge going up to New England this weekend, and they've got to put it together." In their previous two '99 Ivy weekends, the Quakers have been competitive but they have had trouble winning close games. Of Penn's six Ivy losses, five have come by three runs or less, including two by a single run. "We're just coming so close," Penn senior first baseman Russ Farscht said. "We've got to learn to win. At this point, we have a young team and they just haven't learned to win yet." A year ago, the Quakers dropped all four contests to these two teams on Bower Field in a slew of high-scoring contests. The average score of those games was 10-8 in favor of the two New England teams. This year, however, Penn's pitching is looking to bring that average down. "Our pitching has been good lately," Quakers coach Bob Seddon said. "The pitching staff is much improved over last year." Tomorrow, two pitchers who were not around in '98 -- freshmen Mike Mattern (4-1, 2.84 ERA) and Mark Lacerenza (0-3, 5.40) -- will get the starting nods at Yale Field. The pair have looked strong recently but must find a way to hold in check a Yale (9-17, 2-2) offense that hits .306 as a team. Elis junior Ben Johnstone, a returning second team All-Ivy selection, could pose a problem for the pair. The outfielder is currently hitting .443 with 47 hits and has stolen a league-high 21 bases -- as many as the entire Penn team put together. On Sunday, sophomore Matt Hepler (0-3, 4.82) and junior Sean McDonald (1-4, 27 strikeouts) will start on the hill for the Quakers against the Bears (8-9, 3-1). Brown is also led by a speedster -- junior second baseman Jeff Lawler is riding a 10 game hitting streak and brings a .353 average and 12 stolen bases to the table. The Bears have won six of their last seven. One positive note for the Quakers is that for the first time all season, the entire Penn contingent should be healthy. Quakers sophomore infielder Shawn Spiezio, who missed 21 games after separating his shoulder in the '99 opener, has hit .333 in his two games back. Tomorrow should mark the return of senior shortstop Glen Ambrosius, who missed Wednesday's game after being hit by a pitch on his right hand late in Tuesday's loss. Also due back is junior second baseman Anthony Napolitano, a .341 hitter who was knocked out of Wednesday's game after nearly being tackled by an Explorers player who was trying to break up a double play.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.