Penn could certainly use a quick pick-me-up after Wednesday's disappointing extra-inning 2-1 loss to Lafayette. And if ever there were a prescription for what ails the Quakers, it's Columbia.
Penn might not exactly be expecting four blowout wins when the Lions come to Meiklejohn Stadium for doubleheaders tomorrow and Sunday, but given Columbia's pitching woes, they can at least expect a reawakening of their bats this weekend.
"They might have been slow the last couple days and everyone noticed that, and they're gonna try even harder against Columbia," catcher Josh Corn said. "I'm expecting the bats to come alive and the offense to be great."
And that might be nearly as easily done as said.
Righthanders Henry Perkins and Bill Purdy have been solid in seven combined starts, but the Lions' staff - which touts an abysmal 7.29 earned run average - has little depth to support its two stalwarts.
But what Columbia lacks on the mound, it makes up for at the plate.
Its 3-4-5 hitters, first baseman Ron Williams, rightfielder Andrew Ward and Perkins, are hitting a torrid .381. Ward, the Lions' cleanup man, has already knocked in 20 runs to go with a pair of homers and a ridiculous 1.103 on-base plus slugging average.
"As a pitching staff, what we're planning on doing is attacking low and away, keeping the ball down and out," reliever Doug Brown said. "These guys are big guys who love to turn on the ball and pull the ball down the line."
While the Quakers' pitching staff has been a picture of efficiency the past four games, their two-game skid has come as a result of a lack of run support.
But Brown thinks the staff's bad luck hasn't been a matter of an under-performing offense, but rather an unlucky one - it hasn't been a matter of whether they're hitting, it's been a matter of how the weather has hit them.
"The first couple weeks up North here in the cold weather, it's a little rainy. I mean [first baseman Kyle] Armeny hit a ball yesterday [against Lafayette] I think on any other day would have gone 400 feet, but ended up flying out to right," Brown said. "You gotta get used to the weather."
Quakers coach John Cole agrees.
"It's been very difficult to hit. Wind's been in; soft, slow field [if] it's on the ground; [it] gets caught in the air, doesn't go anywhere. The advantage has been to the pitchers."
Last week's unfriendly storms may be over, but they did give the Quakers a distinct leg-up for Saturday's matchups. The first doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played in New York, but was moved to Meiklejohn due to the poor field conditions at Andy Coakley Field.
"Sleeping in your own bed and playing on your own field is definitely an advantage," Brown said.
All things considered, Penn seems to be in the best possible position it can be in coming off of a devastating loss. In its Ivy openers, the Quakers are getting the team, the weather and the venue they want.
Now all they need is some consistency.
"We've gotta make some adjustments at the plate and we've gotta create some big-run innings," Cole said. "We've had little sprinkles, and it's not enough."
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
