PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – After taking a two-run lead in the top of the fifth, the Quakers made a large come back in the bottom of the sixth scoring a total of 10 runs to take the advantage away from the 'Cats. Villanova could not recover from the massive deficit and lost 15-5 in at the end of the seventh inning due to the run rule coming into play.
 
Junior second baseman Cameron Hassert went 2-4 on the day driving in a run off a single to first base. On this play Hassert could have been the last out of the inning but dove headfirst into the bag to be safe and keep the 'Cats at bat. Graduate shortstop Craig Larsen, a former Penn player and captain, singled to right field to drive in a run in the top of the fifth against his old team.
 
A surprise standout for the 'Cats pitching staff was freshman infielder Michael Whooley on his third outing on the mound. Whooley has not pitched previously to this season and came in to relieve Graham Moore. Whooley pitched a total of 1.1 innings fanning two to the six batters he faced and allowed only one hit and no runs to be scored.
 
The Wildcats gained some momentum after a scoreless first inning across the board to then score two runs in the top of the second. Luke Mutz hit a ground out RBI for the first run and Hassert drove the second run in with a single to first base. The Quakers answered back with two equalizing runs in the bottom of the inning off a double hit by Taylor and a single to right field to drive in the second run. At the end of the second innings the score was tied 2-2.
 
It wasn't until the fifth inning that either team earned a run with the Wildcats taking the lead. With two men on, Larsen singled to right field for Jack O'Reilly to take the 3-2 lead over the Quakers. Villanova extended their lead on the following play in which Steve Grober clobbered a double to right field driving in the Wildcats fourth run of the game. The combined efforts on the mound from freshman Luke Matta and junior Cole Vanderslice were able to hold off the Quakers from touching home plate in the fifth.
 
The 'Cats were able to tally one more run in the top of the sixth with O'Reilly smashing a double to center field for Hassert to once again score. Villanova led 5-2 entering the bottom of the inning. The Quakers hit six singles, two doubles, and a triple while being walked three times and hit by pitch once to rally 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth taking the 12-5 lead over the Wildcats. Two of the 12 runs were driven in by walks and one from a batter getting hit by a pitch when the bases were loaded. The Villanova pitching staff struggled to get the last two outs of the inning cycling through three pitchers in the sixth alone out of the nine pitchers on the day.
 
Villanova went down swinging in the top of the seventh and did not rally any more runs. Penn tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the inning ending the game early due to the run rule, taking the 15-5 victory over the Wildcats.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Cats return to action on March 17 for their home opening series versus Rider. First pitch is set for 3 pm on Friday.