This past weekend, Villanova baseball traveled to Charleston, SC, for a three game series against Charleston Southern University. Villanova (7-9) won its first two games of the series, 5-4 and 5-0, before taking a 4-22 loss to the Buccaneers (13-6) in its final face off.
The ‘Cats kicked off the series on Friday, March 13. Redshirt outfielder Austin Lemon and senior infielder Michael Whooley were quick to reach the bags in the first inning, setting up runners for graduate third baseman Carter Richey. Richey’s double to the left gave the Wildcats their first two runs of the game which remained unanswered until the third inning.
Junior pitcher Jake Francis started the game for Villanova. Following a leadoff walk, Francis held off the next three batters to end the inning.
During the bottom of the third inning, CSU tied the game at two, before it took a 3-2 lead off of a sacrifice fly.
In the fifth inning, freshman outfielder Jack Roventini and redshirt sophomore catcher Mark Gialluisi got on base for Lemon to drive them in with a double to left. Whooley followed, with a long triple to left, plating another run for the Wildcats.
Sophomore JP Podgorski pitched four innings in relief and allowed one run on three hits. With Podgorski’s four strikeouts, he and the rest of the defense were able to hold down CSU going into the ninth.
“I was very pleased with JP’s progress and growth and he has a very high ceiling with good stuff,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “He’s not even close to where he will be.”
Senior pitcher Graham Moore closed out the game in four batters, helping Villanova take the victory over the Buccaneers on Friday afternoon.
Saturday morning saw a pitcher’s duel as graduate student Jack Kelley got through two innings without a runner on. Gialluisi rallied the Wildcat offense, hitting to the outfield in the third. A base hit combined with two hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for Lemon, who plated an RBI with a fielder’s choice. A double from sophomore infielder Brayden Leonard added a run. A sacrifice fly from senior utility Collin Quintano completed Villanova’s three runs in the third inning.
While graduate pitcher Jack Kelley dominated through six innings, Villanova scored another run in the fourth inning off of another fielder’s choice from Lemon.
“Coming off a win Friday and being able to give us that effort to win the series is incredible for Jack,” Mulvey said. “It helps the defense behind you stay locked in and ready to make a play for you. I couldn’t be happier with his outing and success”.
Whooley drove Lemon in during the seventh inning for their fifth and final run of the game.
Senior pitcher Bobby Finn came in for the last three frames, holding off CSU to secure the win.
Villanova fell early in Saturday’s game, after CSU opened play with six runs in the first inning. With only two hits, CSU took advantage of multiple hit-by-pitches and walks that caused them to give up unearned runs. Two more singles and a home run made it 9-0, and after a three-run home run in the fourth, CSU was up 12-0.
Quintano finally gave the Wildcats momentum with a solo shot in the fifth inning. Junior first baseman Tim Schuler followed, giving the ‘Cats another home run. Schuler’s home run marks his first of the season.
CSU responded to the ‘Cats in the bottom of the fifth, A single, double and passed ball gave the Buccaneers four more runs to continue their final rally over Villanova.
Villanova finished their scoring with a single from Quintano, followed by junior infielder Trent Toole’s production of another single to score Jake Bollin.
Villanova was unable to produce any more runs as it dropped the last game of the series, splitting Saturday’s double header with the 22-4 loss.
“There’s ups and downs in every game, the ability to overcome failure and adversity gives you the ability to succeed in the future,” Mulvey said. “Staying calm, cool and collected every game isn’t always easy.”
Prior to the weekend series, the Wildcats hosted LaSalle, earning a 14-10 victory at home on Tuesday, March 10.
Lasalle took early command of the game, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning.
Whooley responded, scoring a home run in the bottom of the inning.
After Villanova further fell to a 6-1 deficit, Whooley rallied the ‘Cats again with a two-run double, scoring Leonard and Lemon.
“He does a great job preparing on his own,” Mulvey said about Whooley. “Our conversations are more about the mental aspect of the game and staying consistent.”
The Wildcats tied the game at six in the fourth inning, before trading runs in the fifth.
Gialluisi knocked in the equalizer on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.
Defensively, Moore closed out the game, striking out three of four batters he faced during the eighth inning. Villanova scored four runs to take a 14-10 lead, before the game ended in the eighth due to darkness.
“We try to help prepare them for those situations and keep them consistent in their approaches,” Mulvey said. “This group does a really good job and they love being together and playing together.”
The Wildcats will now continue their season at home, hosting the University of North Carolina at Asheville (11-10, 1-2 Big South) for a three-game series at the Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. The first game of the series is set for a 3:05 p.m first pitch on Friday, March 20.
