The Wildcats struggled to get anything going against the Seton Hall Pirates on March 22 and fell to 7-12 (0-3 Big East) at Owen T. Carroll Field in South Orange, N.J. Villanova was shut out for the second time in three games with Saturday’s 13-0 loss, as the team was held to three hits.

Villanova had no answer for Seton Hall junior pitcher Greg Miller. Miller pitched six strong shutout innings, improving his record to 2-1. He struck out four while surrendering just two hits. Miller contributed on the offensive end as well, going 2-2 with a sacrifice fly, a double, two runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base of home plate. Miller was one of four Seton Hall Pirates with two RBI and one of eight runners to cross home plate.

Sophomore pitcher Kevin Crimmel gave up six hits and seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a losing effort. He gave up four runs in the first inning, putting the ‘Cats in a tough bind for the rest of the game, en route to falling to 1-2. Senior Ryan Wendler came in and surrendered three runs before closing out the remainder of the second inning.

However, if there was a bright spot for the Wildcats last Saturday, it was their bullpen. Three standout pitchers included seniors Gus Guida and Bill Hoffman and junior Ryan Shockley. Guida pitched a career-high three innings, giving up one run. Hoffman and Shockley combined to pitch the seventh and eighth innings without surrendering any runs.

Last Saturday’s game was reminiscent of all three games played against Seton Hall. ‘Nova stranded 13 runners on base and went 0-27 with runners in scoring position throughout the three-game series against the Pirates. Senior second baseman/short stop Ryan Arcadia and junior designated hitter Joe Rosati accounted for six of ‘Nova’s 13 base runners, getting on base three times each. Arcadia went 0-2, drawing three walks. Rosati got one of the ‘Cats three hits and was hit by pitches twice.

Previous to Villanova’s loss on Sunday, the Wildcats were defeated by the Pirates twice in a double-header on Friday. With the victories, Seton Hall is now 10-10 overall and 4-2 in the Big East.

Villanova is on a road trip where they will not play a home game for two weeks. The ‘Cats will take the field again this weekend in a three-game set against the Connecticut Huskies in a Big East rivalry. — C.M.