March 27, 1999
Villanova, Pa.--- Hosting the University of Notre Dame for a Big East Conference doubleheader, on Saturday, March 27, the Villanova University baseball team was swept by the Fighting Irish. The Wildcats was defeated by the Irish 4-0 in the day's first game, and 10-8 in game two, despite a valiant comeback in the game's final innings. With the two losses, Villanova's record falls to 9-12-1 overall and 0-2 in Big East play. Notre Dame's record improves to 14-6 overall and 4-0 in the Big East with the two victories.
In game one, both team's pitchers threw the complete game, but it was the Irish's Aaron Heilman who won the battle, with a seven-inning shutout. Heilman threw seven innings of five-hit ball, striking out eight without walking a batter to improve to 4-1 on the season. For the Wildcats, Aaron Krawiec pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking six. With his first loss, Krawiec's record falls to 3-1 on the year.
At the plate for Villanova, sophomore second baseman Matt Longo went a perfect three-for-three with two doubles. Catcher Dan Glover went one-for-three with a double for the Wildcats. For the Fighting Irish, rightfielder Ben Cooke went two-for-three with a game-high three RBI.
Down 2-0 after the first half inning in game two, Villanova came back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first to take a 3-2 lead. Freshman first baseman Rob Cafiero sparked the Wildcat offense with a two-run double. Notre Dame rallied, however, to score eight runs in a four inning span to take a commanding 10-3 lead after six innings of play.
After scoring two quick runs in the eighth to pull to within 10-5, sophomore designated hitter Nick Piantek blasted a home run into the lake in left field for a three-run home run, to close the gap to 10-8. With the Cats attempting to complete their miraculous rally in the ninth inning with the tying run at the plate, Irish reliever Drew Duff struck out the final batter to save a 10-8 victory for Notre Dame.
Getting the victory on the mound for the Fighting Irish was Tim Kalita (3-1) who pitched seven and two-thirds innings, giving up eight runs on nine hits, striking out 10 and walking two. Duff threw the final one and one-third innings for his second save of the year. Taking the loss for the Wildcats was Brian Buckingham who falls to 2-2. Buckingham pitched four innings, surrendering six runs (five earned) on 10 hits, while striking out two.
At the plate for the Wildcats, Longo went two-for-three with two runs scored, to complete an outstanding five-for-six day. Tallying two hits apiece for Villanova were Pat Kane, and Dave Pizzini, while Piantek went one-for-four with three RBI.
Villanova will resume play on Sunday, March 28, hosting the St. John's Red Storm for a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 noon.
