irst pitch,Villanova Baseball looks to its first game against Florida International University on Friday, Feb. 13. The series will set the tone for the season as it looks to bounce back from a 6-15 losing season.
Senior infielder Michael Whooley will be a crucial returner in the comeback effort, having earned a spot on the All-Big East Conference Team in 2025.
“Mike’s been tremendous for us on and off the field,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “We’re lucky to have him.”
The team returns many to the roster, among them eleven sophomores, six juniors, six seniors and five graduates. Five freshmen will join the team. The fresh faces consist of two outfielders, two shortstops and a new pitcher. The roster totals to 33 this season.
“We have five or six guys who could start for us, which makes it hard when we only play three games in a weekend,” Mulvey said. “But that’ll just mean the guys who aren’t starting with get extended looks out of the bullpen.”
Last year, senior catcher Jake Bollin and Redshirt sophomore outfielder Austin Lemon led the Wildcats at bat, with a batting averages of 0.364 and 0.362, respectively.
Whooley led in runs, bringing in 46 last season. Sophomore infielder Brayden Leonard took 32 runs home. Lemon trailed one run behind him, tallying 31 during the season.
In addition to his batting ability, Lemon boasts skill on the infield. Last year, Lemon made 88 catches and 87 putouts throughout the course of the season, earning a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Junior Jake Francis is one of four pitchers from the 2025 roster. He is the team’s only returning pitcher. During the 2025 season Francis earned an average of 6.60 runs earned per game.
Villanova has also brought in new coaching staff to the program, hiring Michael Russo and Dusty Snyder.
Russo brings a depth of experience from his times at both Monmouth University and Princeton University. At Princeton, he led the Tigers to an NCAA tournament appearance.
“Russo works with the pitchers on a positive mind and a positive attitude, and he has a great relationship with the other coaches,” Mulvey said.
Snyder joins Villanova after a successful coaching career at the University of South Florida and previously Pasco-Hernando State College. Coach Mulvey is pleased with the baserunning work Snyder has brought and says he is adaptable.
Creighton and the University of Conneticut will be two of the Wildcats toughest opponents in Big East play. UConn earns the honors at the top of the preseason coaches poll, with Creighton, Xavier and St. John’s also close in the mix. Villanova is currently predicted to finish sixth in the conference.
Beginning with their out-of-conference schedule, the ‘Cats hope to establish momentum that they can carry onto the Big East season.
In addition to FIU, the Wildcats will face Lipscomb, Towson, Florida Atlantic and other notable East Coast rivals before their Big East showdown.
While play can be competitive, the team tries to foster a work-hard, play hard environment.
“The guys play hard,” Mulvey explained. “It’s fun to coach, but it’s fun to play too.”
Villanova will kick off Big East play at the Villanova Ballpark in Plymouth Meeting, PA on April 2, taking on Butler University, redeeming last year’s shortcomings.
