Tulane evens series with Penn

NEW ORLEANS – Four sixth-inning runs were scored for the second straight night on Greer Field at Turchin Stadium and the final score was 8-5 once again, but Tulane was on the good end of both statistics Saturday to even their series with Penn.

The Green Wave improved to 3-13, while the Quakers fell to 4-6.

Tulane reliever Chandler Welch (1-1) picked up the victory, allowing just one run on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks in four and one-third innings. Michael Lombardi tossed the final three innings for his first collegiate save as he yielded a run on three hits with five Ks and no walks.

Bryce Mangene (0-1) took the defeat, as he was tagged for four runs on four hits with a strikeout and a walk, recording just one out. Penn starter Cole Zaffiro pitched effectively in the early going, whiffing eight Tulane batters (against no walks), giving up three runs on five hits in four and one-third innings.

Right fielder Teo Banks had a breakout game at the plate for Tulane, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Designated hitter Brennan Lambert and first baseman Brady Marget both went 3-for-5 at the dish. The latter drove in two runs as well, as did third baseman Simon Baumgardt.

Quakers first baseman Ben Miller had a big offensive day in the loss, smashing homers in both the first and fifth innings. Shortstop Davis Baker and catcher Asa Wilson added two hits as well.

With the Green Wave trailing 3-0 in the first, Banks and Baumgardt evened the contest with third and fourth-inning homers, respectively. It was Banks’ two homer of the season and the third for Baumgardt.

The huge sixth inning started when Banks drove in shortstop Gavin Schulz and Baumgardt with a triple to left and center fielder Brady Hebert and Marget followed with RBI singles that gave the hosts a 7-4 lead.

Both teams traded runs in the eighth, with Tulane’s coming on Marget’s single to center, scoring Banks.

Hebert stole his seventh base of the season in the first inning, while Baumgardt added his third in the sixth frame.

The rubber match of the series will be played Sunday at 1 p.m.