PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth opener of a Saturday doubleheader at Hank DeVincent Field, the Penn Quakers rallied from a five-run deficit to edge the Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers 7-6 on March 7, 2026, securing their first victory of the season.

The Quakers, who entered the game with an 0-6 record, were projected as favorites by advanced metrics but faced a steep early climb. The Retrievers, now 3-5, struck decisively in the seventh inning. After reliever L. Pokrovsky issued walks to Chris Harber and Dylan Melton, UMBC left fielder Ehi Okojie launched a three-run homer to right field, erasing a 7-3 Penn lead and tying the game at 6.

Penn answered immediately in the bottom of the seventh, reclaiming the lead for good without a hit. After Gavin Degnan singled and was caught stealing, Davis Powell reached on a two-base error by the center fielder. He advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nick O’Brien, who entered as a defensive replacement and drove in the decisive run.

The game’s most critical sequence, however, occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Penn transformed a 6-2 deficit into a 7-6 advantage. The Quakers sent 11 batters to the plate, capitalizing on control issues by the UMBC bullpen. The inning featured three walks that loaded the bases, setting the stage for a two-run triple by Ryan Taylor that tied the game. O’Brien’s subsequent sacrifice fly off new pitcher Aidan Boice gave Penn its first lead.

Penn starter Jake Moss delivered a standout performance to keep his team within reach, earning top star honors. He pitched six strong innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out five. His effort provided stability after UMBC’s early three-run homer and allowed the Quakers’ offense time to mount its comeback.

UMBC received a stellar outing from its own starter, Eddie Sargent, who threw four hitless innings, though he was charged with two runs. Reliever Aidan Boice followed with four hitless innings of relief, striking out three, but he was on the mound for Penn’s pivotal five-run fifth.

Offensively, Penn’s Gavin Degnan led the way, going 3 for 4 with a two-run homer in the second inning and three RBIs. For the Retrievers, catcher Derek Paris collected three hits, while Okojie’s three RBIs came on his game-tying homer.

Connor Darling secured the win for Penn with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, stranding the potential tying run at third base in the ninth inning. The victory marked a reversal of fortune for the Quakers, who had lost six straight, including three one-run games, to start the season.

The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.