Philly Leader

The University of Pennsylvania's baseball team is set to face a significant challenge this weekend as they host Princeton at Tommy Lasorda Field at Meiklejohn Stadium in Philadelphia. Initially planned for the usual Saturday-Sunday schedule, the series will now start with a doubleheader on Friday at 11:30 a.m., followed by a single game on Saturday at noon.

Both teams enter the competition with identical records of 4-2 in Ivy League play, tied for second place alongside Cornell. As per the Ivy League standings, all four teams from the previous year's tournament, including Columbia, Cornell, Penn, and Princeton, currently occupy the top four positions.

The rivalry between Penn and Princeton extends back to 1879, with Princeton leading the all-time series 163-116-2. In recent years, Penn has had the upper hand, winning seven of the last ten encounters. Last year, the Quakers were able to win a decisive game against Princeton in the Ivy League Tournament, removing the Tigers with a 9-4 victory.

This weekend presents an opportunity for both teams to distance themselves in the standings. The Quakers, who have had a fluctuating season, recently demonstrated scoring prowess in a 16-11 victory over Lafayette. Key players at the plate include Jarrett Pokrovsky, Gavin Collins, and Ryan Taylor, all batting above .300, alongside Davis Baker, who leads the team with six home runs.

On the mound, the Quakers are looking for consistency. Pitchers such as Noah Millikan, Sebastian Haggard, and senior lefty Will Tobin showed varying results in recent outings. Bullpen contributors like Thomas Shurtleff and John Cerwinski add reliability, joined by aspiring performers like Marty Coyne and Marshall Mott.

Princeton approaches this weekend with a 7-19 overall record, standing 4-2 in Ivy League competition. Despite struggles at the plate, with no player surpassing a .300 average, Jake Koonin and Nick Shenefelt have been notable contributors. The Tiger pitching staff, led by Jacob Faulkner, grapples with an overall ERA of 7.51.

All three games of the weekend series will be broadcast live on ESPN+, with commentary by Cory Nidoh. Fans can track the live stats for all three games and stay updated by following Penn Baseball's social media accounts.