March 7, 2000
Philadelphia, Pa.--- In the home opener for the Villanova baseball team on Tuesday, March 7, at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia, the Wildcats used a five-run first inning and a four-run fifth inning to surge past the visiting La Salle Explorers by the score of 11-6. Villanova has now won three straight games, and has evened its record at 5-5 on the season. The Explorers fell to 0-4 with the loss.
Helped by four walks and a hit batter, the `Cats scored five runs in the first inning. The inning was highlighted by a two-RBI double by designated hitter Nick Piantek and a two-RBI single from shortstop Brendan Trainor. Trainor's two RBI gave him 10 for the season, and nine in the last five games.
La Salle struck back with two in the second off Villanova starter Drew Kirchner. Mike Kelly and James Kelly each tallied RBI in the inning. James Kelly's RBI groundout cut the Wildcat advantage to 5-2.
Up 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Villanova posted four more runs to increase its lead to 9-3. Three Explorer errors led to three Wildcat unearned runs in the fifth. Rightfielder Matt Blaney and Piantek each singled in runs during the inning.
In the top of the seventh, La Salle got back in the game. Jon Palumbo scored on a Villanova error with one out, and Mike Fuchs doubled in two more runs two batters later to trim the Wildcat lead to 9-6.
Sophomore first baseman Rob Cafiero put the game away in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run home run to right field. The homer was Cafiero's second of the season. The contest was called after the top of the eighth inning due to darkness.
Kirchner got the win for Villanova, giving up two runs on six hits in four innings. Kirchner (1-2) struck out three without walking a batter. Junior Will Henry came on in the fifth and pitched the final four innings for his first save.
Taking the loss for the Explorers was Jim Fuchs, who gave up five runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Fuchs walked four and hit a batter during his stint.
Senior Chris Watson led the Wildcats with three hits, while Cafiero, Piantek, Trainor and catcher Greg Fater each had two. Cafiero went two-for-three with two runs and two RBI, while Piantek went two-for-five with a double and a game-high three RBI.
Villanova will resume play on Tuesday, March 14, hosting Philadelphia University at 3:00 p.m.
