The role of the designated hitter on a baseball team is to get the big hits when his team needs them the most. This weekend, senior Joe Rosati did just that in a three-game series against the Seton Hall Pirates. The Havertown native connected on five hits, scored four runs and batted in an additional four throughout the three games.

In the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader, Rosati came off the bench and went 3-5, batting in three runs, scoring a run and stealing two bases in the ‘Cats 10-4 victory over the Pirates. With the doubleheader being split between the two Big East teams, Saturday afternoon’s match-up proved to be the deciding game of the series. Rosati went 2-4 in the game, scoring three of the team’s eight runs and batting in another as he helped propel the team to an 8-4 win.

As a high school athlete for Episcopal Academy, Rosati lettered in baseball, basketball and football. He was named an All-City choice in baseball and football and was chosen as a member of the All-League football team. He finished his senior baseball season with an outstanding .467 batting average.

During his freshman season at Villanova, he became the team’s left fielder, starting in 32 games. He batted .259 with a .377 on-base-percentage and a .352 slugging percentage. On April 18, 2006, he was named the Hometown Philly Baseball Rookie of the Week after his stellar play in four games throughout that week. During these games, he hit the first home run of his college career, and also scored four runs and tallied three RBIs. Throughout the season, he proved to be a great asset when coming off the bench. He made eight pinch hit appearances during the season and reached base seven times, batting 4-for-5, drawing two walks and getting hit by a pitch one time.

In his sophomore season, he started 47 games, mostly as a designated hitter. He batted .265 and was second on the team in stolen bases with 18. His six sacrifice bunts on the season were enough to tie him for second place on the team in that category.

He played his most games to date in his junior season last year, staring 31 but seeing action in 54. He batted .254 with a .395 on-base percentage and .331 slugging percentage as the team’s DH. His 24 stolen bases on the year were not only good enough to lead the team for the season, but also placed him fourth in Villanova’s history in the stolen base category.

A few of the season’s highlights for Rosati included a six-game hitting streak in March where he batted .421 and a three-hit game in the Wildcat’s 12-0 victory against top-seeded St. John’s in the opening game of the Big East championship.

So far this season, Rosati has been one of the most consistent hitters in the Wildcats’ lineup. Following the series against Seton Hall, Rosati is hitting .270 with 14 RBI. The Wildcats hope his strong performance against the Pirates can propel the team against its remaining schedule.

The team continues regular season play through the middle of May, and then will take part in the Big East championship. Rosati will look to continue his senior leadership to propel the ‘Cats toward the end of the season and himself toward a memorable end of his solid Villanova baseball career.