April 2, 2000

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, PA.-- In the final game of a three-game series against Boston College on Sunday, April 2, at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia, the Villanova baseball team lost to the Eagles, 7-6, as BC completed a three-game sweep of the Wildcats. The loss, `Nova's second one-run defeat in as many days, dropped its record to 12-13 overall and 3-6 in the Big East. The Eagles improve to 15-9 overall and 4-5 in conference play with Sunday's win.

Down by a 2-1 margin going into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Wildcats rallied with five runs to take a 6-2 lead. Right fielder Brian Hearne's two-RBI double got the Villanova scoring started in the fourth. Catcher John Picone and second baseman Matt Longo each tallied RBI-singles in the inning.

Boston College closed the gap in the sixth off of Wildcat starter Tom Kandybowicz. With two outs and runners at first and second, third baseman Eric Olson hit a three-run home run to trim the Villanova advantage to 6-5. The game would stay that way until the seventh when the Eagles offense struck again. Wildcat reliever Bob Grzenda relieved Kandybowicz after BC loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batter. Grzenda's second pitch was in the dirt and got past Picone, allowing right fielder Mike Quirk to scamper home with the tying run.

In the top of the ninth with the score knotted at 6-6, Quirk led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice one batter later. With one out in the inning, left fielder Neil McCarthy tripled for the Eagles to send Quirk to the plate with the go-ahead run.

Pitcher Mike Stuart finished off the Wildcats in the ninth for his second win of the weekend to improve to 2-2. Taking the loss for Villanova was Grzenda, who falls to 0-1.

Designated hitter Mike Houser had an outstanding day at the plate for the Wildcats, going four-for-five with a double, run scored and one RBI. Picone and left fielder Dave Pizzini also added two hits each for Villanova on the day.

The Wildcats will get back into action on Tuesday, April 4, hosting Drexel at 3:00 p.m.