Pitching staff shows signs of life

Maybe it wasn't the shot heard 'round the world, but junior Kyle Armeny's home run propelled Penn to what coach John Cole called its biggest win in years.

In the fourth contest of Penn's eight-game Florida trip, Armeny dug in against Boston College closer Dan Houston. The game was tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, after BC had scored two runs in the seventh.

Houston's first pitch was a fastball, and Armeny drove the ball well beyond the right-field fence for the walk-off victory.

"It was super exciting," Cole said.

It was also the Quakers' second walk-off win in as many days, en route to a 3-5 road trip.

On March 4 against Mt. St. Mary's, an ill Penn closer Doug Brown allowed three runs in the top of the ninth - two earned - to blow the save opportunity.

But the Quakers responded in their half. A single sacrifice bunt and intentional walk set the stage for Armeny, who singled to load the bases. Reid Terry pinch hit for Gordon and came through with the game-winning hit.

The star of the day, however, was freshman Todd Roth.

In his first college start, Roth pitched seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out eight.

"You can't ask more from a freshman," Cole said. "[I was] very pleased with his preparation, work ethic and command during the game."

Penn completed its three-game winning streak with a victory over St. Bonaventure on March 7 in a game that was an adventure. The three hour and 12 minute affair featured eight pitchers, 36 hits, and 31 runs.

The Quakers never trailed, but the Bonnies responded to every Penn scoring burst. Despite having leads of 5-0, 9-2, 13-6, and 16-9, Cole called on Brown in the eighth, up by just two.

"He did an absolutely fabulous job," Cole said of his closer. "A wild affair, [he brought] some structure to that game."

He struck out five of the six batters he faced for his first save.

Many batters had good performances in the 17-14 victory, but nobody hit better than Tim May. He was four for five with a home run, three runs scored, and five runs batted in.

Over the eight games, May led Penn in all major categories. He hit .536 with an on-base percentage of .606, slugged .821, and added 9 RBI.

"He's really made a jump and made some adjustments," Cole said. "I'm very pleased with Timmy."

The trip also had its share of negatives. In their five losses, the Quakers were outscored 70-22. Their team earned run average was 8.74, and seven pitchers had ERAs over 10. Penn blew late leads in two of the three wins, and also in a 12-4 loss in its second meeting with the Bonnies.

Freshman southpaw Jim Birmingham gave up just one run on two hits in five innings. But he was taken out as he reached his pitch count, and Terry proceeded to give up six runs, four earned, in the sixth.

When Birmingham next started, in the Quakers' first game against Mt. St. Mary's on March 4, Cole decided to leave him in for the sixth inning, with the game tied at three. That strategy backfired too, however, as he gave up three earned runs on three hits. The Mount tacked on seven more runs against the bullpen.

The Quakers never had the lead to blow in their two losses to Maine, but the games stayed close until the final innings.

The final game against Fordham was the only one where the outcome was never in doubt. The Quakers never recovered from an early six-run deficit.

Cole was relatively happy with his team, which won one game on last year's Florida swing.

"You don't want to say you're pleased when you come back with a losing record, but I saw some things I liked," he said.

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