March 2, 2000

Box Score

Traveling to Homestead, Fla., on Thursday, March 2, for an evening contest against No. 23 nationally ranked Florida International University, the Villanova baseball team dropped a heartbreaker to the Golden Panthers, 5-4, as FIU rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Wildcats' record drops to 2-5 with the loss, while the Golden Panthers improve to 16-2.

In the second inning, Villanova opened the scoring with two runs to grab a 2-0 advantage. With a runner on first and third and one out, shortstop Brendan Trainor double in two runs.

FIU pulled to within one run in the bottom of the third, as Raul Pujol singled in third baseman Gustavo Alfonso. One inning later, the Golden Panthers tied the game at 2-2, on an RBI-single by second baseman Tino Burgos.

With the contest tied at 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning, the Wildcats pulled ahead. Leftfielder Dave Pizzini doubled with one out. Two batters later, freshman Chris Graziano singled in Pizzini for the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Golden Panthers staged a rally of their own. Pinch hitter Daniel Bustamante singled to begin the inning, and advanced to second as centerfielder Barry Paulk was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded and one out, Pujol singled in the tying and game-winning runs as FIU took a 5-4 victory.

Despite taking the loss, senior pitcher Drew Kirchner pitched outstanding in relief. Kirchner threw 3.1 innings, giving up three hits and three runs, striking out three and walking two. Golden Panther pitcher Paul Zervas got the win in two innings of relief.

The Wildcats will wind down their spring trip on Friday, March 3, playing St. Bonaventure at 10:30 a.m., at the Homestead Sports Complex.