Softball | Explorers cry for mercy

Penn softball players and coaches have persistently claimed that they are a far better team than their losing record shows.

Yesterday they finally proved that with a drubbing of cross-town foe La Salle.

The Quakers won, 9-1, at La Salle in a game that was ended after five innings due to the mercy rule. The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was called in the third inning - with Penn leading 6-3 - due to rain.

The Red and Blue immediately came out swinging against the Explorers (3-14). Before La Salle managed to record a single out in the top of the first inning, Penn (6-17-1) had already amassed five runs and never looked back.

"When you score early like that, it gives you a huge advantage," coach Leslie King said. "We were able to be more relaxed and confident."

The Quakers got off to a fast start thanks to a sub-par outing from La Salle pitcher DJ Guinn.

Penn senior Keiko Uraguchi opened the first inning with a walk and advanced to second on an infield single by Bridget McDugall. Following a wild pitch that advanced both runners, Alicia Prystowsky was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Clean-up hitter freshman Jamie Boccanfuso walked to force in the first run.

In the next at-bat -- the game's early, yet defining moment -- sophomore Taylor Tieman blasted a grand-slam home run over the fence in center field. By the time Tieman crossed the plate, the game was effectively out of the Explorers' reach.

"I felt pretty good when I stepped up to the plate," Tieman said. "Scoring so many runners in the first inning was great for our team because it gave us a nice cushion for the rest of the game."

Tieman's grand slam was not the only offensive highlight of the game. In the fourth inning, Prystowsky nailed a two-run homer to left field for her team-leading fourth home run of the season.

"After several close finishes, it was nice that our offense allowed us to have a big lead early," King said.

The Quakers were able yesterday to do something they hadn't in a while - combine a strong offensive performance with an equally strong defensive one.

"I was extremely impressed with the entire defense," said sophomore pitcher Jess Lupardus, who gave up one hit and recorded five strikeouts to pick up the win.

"Their solid play made my job easier, especially because I didn't feel like I was throwing my best stuff."

While the rain temporarily stopped the Quakers' momentum, they think they can pick up right where they left off when they take the field this weekend at Brown and Yale.

"It was heartening for all of us," Lupardus said. "We are better than our record. We know that we can play offensively and defensively and we are excited to show it."

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