This past weekend, the Wildcats hosted Xavier, and were swept by the Musketeers, losing 8-4, 14-1 and 9-3 in the three games.

This 0-3 weekend now makes Villanova 10-28 on the year and 5-7 in conference.

In the first game, Villanova allowed six runs in the first four innings, and only scored four runs after the sixth inning when the game was too out of reach.

However, the ‘Cats had some standout performances offensively by graduate student shortstop Craig Larsen and freshman second baseman Michael Whooley. Larsen finished 3-4 with one RBI and Whooley finished 2-4 with one run scored.

Senior center fielder AJ Hansen had a two-run home run that started the scoring for the Wildcats. These players have been putting up numbers on a weekly basis.

“In a perfect world you would roll out the same lineup and there would be no change,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “We’ve had a lot of different lineups below 1-2-3, which has been consistent.”

The best pitching outing came from graduate student Zach Camp, who finished the game with two innings pitched and allowed zero runs on one hit and one strikeout.

The second game of the series had no improvement for Villanova as it fell, 14-1.

The lone run came from freshman outfielder/designated hitter Aidan Barr,y who hit an RBI double in the fourth inning to initially tie the game, 1-1.

The game spiraled out of control from there as Villanova allowed 13 unanswered runs.

Junior pitcher Devin Rivera was given the start and put up a fight. Rivera started the game with three straight scoreless innings. However, he went on to allow six total runs, with only four earned runs, seven hits and three strikeouts.

The third game of the series resulted in another defeat, as the Wildcats fell again, this time, 9-3.

Villanova was limited again on offense despite solid performances from senior catcher John Whooley and sophomore designated hitter/catcher Josue Valdez. Whooley went 1-3 including an RBI single that marked the first run for the Wildcats. Valdez went 2-4 with one RBI, having the best day at the plate for the ‘Cats.

The pitchers struggled yet again, but Camp was a bright spot, having his second scoreless outing on the weekend.

Camp pitched 2.1 innings and allowed zero runs on zero hits and five strikeouts.

“It’s difficult playing from behind regardless of who your opponent is,” Mulvey said. “Especially when you’re playing the best team in the league.”

The Wildcats have another difficult Big East opponent to play this weekend as they face UConn for a three-game series at home, starting on Friday, April 28th.