Baseball needs wins to stay afloat in league

Last year, the Penn baseball team traveled to Princeton needing just one win in four games to stay alive in the Gehrig Division race. They lost all four. This year, the Quakers (19-12, 5-7 Ivy League) need to win at least two games to stay alive in the division, but they have a couple things going for them this time around. For one, the Tigers (14-18, 8-4) will be traveling to Murphy Field for two doubleheaders. In addition, Penn should have something of an emotional edge, as it will be Hall of Fame Day tomorrow at the Murph. Former Penn stars Doug Glanville and Mark DeRosa will be on hand for a ceremony between games of the doubleheader. "We think we can beat them," Penn coach Bob Seddon said. "Princeton is a team that has been there before. We just have to go out and do well." The Tigers have won the Gehrig Division championship in each of the last six years. And, despite the departure of ace pitcher Chris Young for the Pirates farm system, Princeton still poses a formidable threat. "They have a senior nucleus that is very good," Seddon said. "Their pitching is OK, and they have a couple of good hitters, and other than that they're alright. They're a good team. "They can be beaten -- they've lost [18] games, and they have to come to us." For his part, Seddon will be sending four of his top hurlers to the mound this weekend. Sophomore Andrew McCreery and junior Mike Mattern will start the Saturday twinbills, while sophomore Ben Krantz and junior Dan Fitzgerald will start Sunday's games. Fitzgerald started the season in the Quakers bullpen, but has come on strong as a starter lately. He is 2-0 since claiming a spot in the rotation, tossing a complete game four-hitter at Yale and going the distance for a six-hitter last Saturday at Cornell. The Tigers will also send some pretty good pitchers to the mound this weekend. Sophomore Ryan Quillian was named Ivy League co-Pitcher of the Week last week, after tossing a 1-0 shutout to beat Columbia. With Quillian's help, the Tigers took three of four from the Lions last week to take a firm grip on the Gehrig Division race. Penn sophomore second baseman Nick Italiano expects a tough weekend from the Tigers. "They're always a good team," Italiano said. "We match up really well with them. It's just really important to get people out to the game."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.