March 14, 2000
Box Score
Philadelphia, Pa.--- On Tuesday, March 14, at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia, the Villanova baseball team blanked Philadelphia University, 8-0, as five Wildcat pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout. The win was Villanova's fourth in a row and improved its record to 6-5 overall on the season. It was the first shutout of the season for the Wildcats, who have outscored their opponents 41-19 during their four-game winning streak. The Rams dropped to 1-9 with Tuesday's loss.
With one out in the bottom of the first inning, junior left fielder Dave Pizzini singled to begin the Villanova onslaught. Philadelphia pitcher Rob Brock struck out Wildcat third baseman Matt Longo for the second out of the inning, but walked the following two batters to load the bases. Designated hitter Nick Piantek knocked in Villanova's first two runs of the contest with a double to left center. Two more bases on balls loaded the bases once again, this time for catcher John Picone who lined a single into center to give the `Cats a 4-0 lead.
Villanova starter Aaron Krawiec shut down the Rams through the first three innings, allowing just one hit and one walk, while striking out three. In the bottom of the third inning, the Wildcats padded their lead with two more runs. Chris McGratty singled with one out and stole second. Picone singled in McGratty for his third RBI of the afternoon. After two walks loaded the bases with one out, Picone scored on an infield fly that dropped just over the head of Rams' shortstop Bobby Granata to give Villanova a 6-0 advantage.
Freshman pitcher Brian Slocum relieved Krawiec in the fourth for the Wildcats. Slocum fared just as well, throwing two hitless innings, walking two and striking out two. Tom Kandybowicz, Rob Cafiero and Brian Manning followed for the `Cats, each helping shut the door on Philadelphia, as Villanova cruised to an 8-0 victory.
Krawiec got the win for the Wildcats to improve to 3-1 on the season. With a scoreless ninth inning, junior closer Brian Manning has now not given up an earned run in his last four outings. In his last four and two-thirds innings of work, Manning has struck out eight batters.
Brock got the loss for the Rams, giving up nine hits and seven runs in five innings, walking seven and striking out three.
At the plate for Villanova, Pizzini and Picone each posted three hits. Pizzini went three-for-four with a run scored and one RBI, while Picone went three-for-four with a game-high three RBI. Keeping a hot bat as well was Piantek, who had a two-hit, two-RBI performance. The killer "P's" together combined to go eight-for-11 with six RBI. Piantek, batting .405 on the year, now leads the team with 15 RBI. Pizzini has tallied seven multi-hit games in 2000, and leads the Wildcats in batting at .479.
`Nova will attempt to extend its winning streak on Wednesday, March 15, playing host to the University of Delaware at 3:00 p.m.
