The Penn softball team was agonizingly close to ending its 10-game losing streak.
But not close enough.
After a stellar 11-inning performance from junior pitcher Nicki Borgstadt, Penn (6-20-1, 0-6 Ivy) was unable to convert in a 2-1 loss at the hands of cross-town rival La Salle.
The Explorers (10-19, 3-5 Atlantic 10) evened the score at one in the bottom of the fourth inning when Borgstadt let go of a wild pitch and La Salle sophomore Sarah Punderson crossed the plate.
"My heart's broken," Penn coach Carol Kashow said after the Quakers' loss at La Salle's Good Sheperd Field.
"We knew it was going to be a game of one run, and whoever scored that one was going to win the game." Kashow said. "And they did."
The Quakers were the first to cross home plate. In the top of the third, senior Danielle Landolt smacked a single up the middle, driving in sophomore Kristi Hackett.
"It was a tough one," Landolt said after the loss. "I think everyone's a little frustrated, but we've played well. If just a couple calls went our way, it would have been a different outcome."
Kashow agreed with Borgstadt about the unlucky breaks Penn has received as of late.
"We hit a ball through the fence, and it should have been called a ground-rule double and dead ball, but they changed their minds on that and called it live," she said. "They were able to hold another Penn runner on base by throwing it to third. We can't quite catch a break. We're still looking for a break of our own."
The game remained scoreless for seven more innings after the Explorers earned a run in the bottom of the fourth.
Jilian Stombock's single in the bottom of the 11th drove home rightfielder Maureen Berard and dashed Penn's chances of ending its 10-game skid.
Kashow was still confident after the Quakers' 11th straight defeat.
"We just haven't finished a rally yet," she said in reference to the Quakers' eight hits. "We had runners on, we just couldn't put them across the plate. We'll just have to keep on keeping on."
Landolt mirrored her coach's resolve after the game.
"We hit the ball well and earned a lot of hits, and we had a lot of players in scoring position. But we didn't convert on our baserunners," she said. "It was just one of those games that could have gone either way, and it's too bad it didn't go our way."
Borgstadt's stellar 11-inning performance was not overlooked despite the disappointing loss.
"Nicki did all she could out there," Kashow said. "There was some solid defense backing her up -- a couple of great outfield catches. Also, we had some great hits during the game, but we were only able to push one run across the plate."
The Quakers will return to their Ivy League schedule this weekend when they travel to the Empire State.
"When we get out of this losing streak, the other team will have hell to pay because the floodgates will open, and everyone will relax," Kashow said.
The Quakers have yet to claim an Ivy League victory this season, as they have lost both ends of doubleheaders to Princeton, Yale and Brown.
The Red and Blue are scheduled for a pair of games against Columbia and Cornell on Saturday and Sunday.
Even with six losses in Ancient Eight play, Kashow is still confident about Penn's chances.
"It's still a wide open race," she said. "There isn't one team in the Ivy League we can't stand up against."
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.
