March 28, 2000

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, PA.--- On Tuesday, March 28, in the first round of the Liberty Bell Classic at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Lehigh University scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to rally from a two-run deficit and defeat the Villanova baseball team by the score of 4-3. The loss was the Wildcats' first in their last seven Liberty Bell games, after having won tournament titles in both 1998 and 1999. Villanova's record drops to 11-10 overall on the season with the defeat, while the Mountain Hawks improve to 9-6.

The Wildcats scored two runs in the second inning to open up the scoring. With one out, designated hitter Nick Piantek singled. Shortstop Brendan Mannix grounded to the mound in the next at bat and Lehigh pitcher Brian Andalman threw the ball into centerfield trying to get Piantek at second. The error placed runners at first and second with catcher Dan Glover coming to the plate. Glover drilled a double into left-centerfield to score both runners and give Villanova a 2-0 advantage.

After allowing one Mountain Hawk run in the third, Wildcat starter Drew Kirchner settled down and took control. Kirchner struck out the side in the fourth inning and sent Lehigh down in order in the fifth as well. Villanova added to its lead in the fifth on an RBI-double by Glover.

From there, it was Kirchner's game as he blanked the Mountain Hawks through eight frames. After allowing Lehigh's one third-inning run, Kirchner allowed just one hit over the next five innings, striking out eight batters.

With the Wildcats up 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Mountain Hawks rallied off of Villanova reliever Rob Cafiero. Hollander and Thoman singled to begin the inning to place runners at first in second with no outs. After Cafiero struck out Mack for the first out of the inning, Gordon doubled to knock in both runners and tie the game at 3-3. Schulman followed Gordon with a single down the right field line to score Gordon with the game-winning run.

Kirchner did not factor in the decision for the Wildcats, despite posting his finest outing of the season. In eight innings, he gave up just one run on three hits, striking out 10 while walking only three. Cafiero took the loss for the `Cats to fall to 0-1. Getting the win for Lehigh was David Cerminaro who pitched four scoreless innings to improve to 4-0 on the year.

At the plate for Villanova, Glover went three-for-five with two doubles, and three RBI. Piantek went three-for-five as well, with one run scored.

The Wildcats will get back into action on Wednesday, March 29, hosting the Temple Owls at 3:00 p.m.

The Wildcats scored two runs in the second inning to open up the scoring. With one out, designated hitter Nick Piantek singled. Shortstop Brendan Mannix grounded to the mound in the next at bat and Lehigh pitcher Brian Andalman threw the ball into centerfield trying to get Piantek at second. The error placed runners at first and second with catcher Dan Glover coming to the plate. Glover drilled a double into left-centerfield to score both runners and give Villanova a 2-0 advantage.

After allowing one Mountain Hawk run in the third, Wildcat starter Drew Kirchner settled down and took control. Kirchner struck out the side in the fourth inning and sent Lehigh down in order in the fifth as well. Villanova added to its lead in the fifth on an RBI-double by Glover.

From there, it was Kirchner's game as he blanked the Mountain Hawks through eight frames. After allowing Lehigh's one third-inning run, Kirchner allowed just one hit over the next five innings, striking out eight batters.

With the Wildcats up 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Mountain Hawks rallied off of Villanova reliever Rob Cafiero. Hollander and Thoman singled to begin the inning to place runners at first in second with no outs. After Cafiero struck out Mack for the first out of the inning, Gordon doubled to knock in both runners and tie the game at 3-3. Schulman followed Gordon with a single down the right field line to score Gordon with the game-winning run.

Kirchner did not factor in the decision for the Wildcats, despite posting his finest outing of the season. In eight innings, he gave up just one run on three hits, striking out 10 while walking only three. Cafiero took the loss for the `Cats to fall to 0-1. Getting the win for Lehigh was David Cerminaro who pitched four scoreless innings to improve to 4-0 on the year.

At the plate for Villanova, Glover went three-for-five with two doubles, and three RBI. Piantek went three-for-five as well, with one run scored.

The Wildcats will get back into action on Wednesday, March 29, hosting the Temple Owls at 3:00 p.m.