Villanova baseball is looking to build upon its 18-33 mark from the 2024 season as it welcomes 18 new players to this year’s roster.
In 2024, Wildcats posted an 8-13 record in Big East play, finishing fifth in Big East standings.
In addition to 20 returning players, head coach Kevin Mulvey’s team consists of five transfers and 13 freshmen. The ‘Cats have been picked to finish seventh in the Big East preseason poll, and they will lean on strong leadership from their four captains with the hopes of exceeding expectations in the 2025 campaign.
Graduate students Luke McCollough, Jason Neff and Stephen Turzai, along with junior Michael Whooley, are the captains of this year’s squad.
McCollough, a right-handed pitcher, returns for his second season with the Wildcats after posting a team-best 48 strikeouts in the 2024 season.
Neff remains a reliable backstop for Villanova and was tied for second among all players with nine home runs in 2024.
Turzai will begin his third season for the ‘Cats after recording 15 scoreless appearances last year, playing a key role in the Villanova bullpen.
Whooley, the lone undergraduate to earn captaincy, looks to continue his impressive play from the 2024 campaign. The infielder finished top five in hits, home runs, RBIs and doubles among all Wildcats last season.
Villanova will open the season in Ponce, Puerto Rico, for the inaugural Puerto Rico Challenge. The Wildcats will face Rice on Feb. 14, Virginia on Feb. 15, and Michigan on Feb. 16 in the unique event.
After returning to the Main Line, the ‘Cats will play their home opener on Feb. 19 against St. Peter’s. Villanova will host another midweek home game on Feb. 25 against Coppin State before a seven-game road trip.
The Wildcats’ road schedule is highlighted by a trip to Nashville for a three-game series against Lipscomb from Feb. 28 to March 2. Then, Villanova will travel to South Florida for a game against Miami on March 5, before taking on USF in a three-game series from March 7 to March 9.
Big East play begins on April 4 when the Wildcats host Georgetown in a three-game series.
Villanova will rely on a combination of both familiar and new faces to start the year off strong as it looks to remain competitive throughout the 2025 season.
