April 13, 2000
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, PA.--- At Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 13, the Villanova baseball team rallied from a three-run deficit to defeat Rider University by the score of 4-3. The victory was the Wildcats' third straight win and improved their record to 16-17 overall on the season. It also places head coach George Bennett just two victories shy of the 500 mark for his career. The Broncs fell to 13-18 on the year with Thursday's loss.
Rider struck first, with three quick runs in the opening inning againstVillanova starter Will Henry. Rightfielder Gary Sudol walked to start the game, and advanced to second on a single by shortstop Tim Superka. Centerfielder Carl Loadenthal followed with a triple down the rightfield line to score both Sudol and Superka to give the Broncs a 2-0 advantage. Designated hitter Mike Ryan singled in Loadenthal to finish off a three-run first inning for Rider.
Broncs' pitcher Rich Nelson no-hit Villanova through three innings, but was replaced in the fourth by reliever Granville Gehris. The Wildcats took advantage of the switch, as designated hitter Mike Houser hit his second home run of the year to close the gap to 3-1.
One inning later, Villanova would continue its rally off Gehris. Freshman Ryan Crammer led off the fifth with a pinch-hit walk and stole second. Two batters later, catcher John Picone doubled in Crammer to bring the `Cats within one run at 3-2. After a Brian Hearne single put runners at the corners, Picone and Hearne pulled off a double steal. Picone's run tied the contest up at 3-3 after five innings.
In the sixth, the Wildcats took their first lead of the contest. Artie McShane replaced Gehris on the mound for Rider and got first baseman Rob Cafiero to groundout for the inning's first out. An error by Broncs' rightfielder Gary Sudol, however, placed Houser in scoring position with one out. Villanova second baseman Matt Longo followed Houser with an RBI-single to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 4-3.
A one-run lead was all Villanova would need, as freshman reliever Mark Rocca came in and shutout Rider for the final four innings to earn his first collegiate victory. Rocca gave up just one hit and one walk, while striking out three Bronc batters. McShane took the loss for Rider to fall to 0-1.
At the plate, Longo went two-for-three with the game-winning RBI. Houser also helped key the comeback with a one-for-three effort, knocking in one run with his second long ball of the year.
Villanova will resume Big East play this weekend, hosting Georgetown for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 15 at 12:00 p.m., and a sinbgle game on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
