A huge series against the top team in the Big East saw the Wildcats go 0-3, bringing their overall record to 14-27. Villanova matched up against UConn this past weekend and lost, 8-2, 11-1 and 10-8. Villanova’s conference record now stands at 5-10, placing it in seventh place among the eight Big East teams.
The ‘Cats were coming off a hot streak of Big East and several non-conference victories. They won seven of their last 10 games prior to this weekend. Unfortunately, UConn proved to be a difficult opponent with a series sweep.
In Friday’s game, the Wildcats went down, 8-0, after three innings of baseball. They then went scoreless for eight innings, until a two-run ninth inning. The early deficit was out of reach for Villanova baseball as it lost, 8-2.
Junior catcher Josue Valdez had the lone RBI for the Wildcats, as the other run came from a UConn error. Valdez went 2-for-4 on the day, leading the team in hits.
Freshman pitcher Jake Francis started on the mound and allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in two innings pitched, receiving the loss. Despite Francis’ disappointing start, graduate student Rian Schwede managed to pitch five scoreless innings of relief to keep the score 8-0.
It was a tough loss, but this game demonstrated the bullpen dominance Villanova has displayed all season.
“Having good strike-throwing capabilities is crucial to team success,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “For over a month now, our bullpen has been throwing strikes, competing and giving us a chance to win.”
Game two on Saturday was more of the same, as UConn took a blowout victory. The Wildcats put themselves in a hole after allowing 11 runs across the first seven innings.
Graduate student Luke McCollough got the start and allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits to record his third loss of the year. The bullpen couldn’t hold UConn in the second game, allowing six more runs.
The only Villanova run came from a UConn error off the bat of DH graduate student Jason Neff. There were no standout performances at the plate, as the Wildcat offense was kept in check, resulting in the 11-1 loss.
The Wildcats were able to bounce back in the final game of the series, taking a tie game into the ninth inning.
UConn started hot yet again, putting up an 8-1 lead over six innings. Villanova didn’t go down without a fight, putting up eight runs to even the score.
Villanova’s offense was highlighted by a solo homer from senior INF Cameron Hassert. He hit 3-4 with three RBIs. Graduate students 1B Dylan Dennis and C John Whooley each had a two-hit day with two RBIs to chip into the Villanova comeback.
After the Wildcats failed to tack on another run in the ninth, Schwede took the mound again to hold the tie. Unfortunately, Schwede was tagged for a walk-off two-run home run to give Villanova the 10-8 loss.
Sunday’s loss was a promising game against one of Villanova’s toughest opponents this season. Although the series didn’t turn out how they wanted, the ‘Cats proved they could hang with the best.
The next matchup for Villanova is at home against Iona University in a break from Big East play. Villanova will then play more conference games in the following weekend against Butler in its second-to-last series of the year.
“We’re still in, still got a shot,” Mulvey said. “Hopefully, we can put some things back together and head into the weekend against Butler with confidence.”
