April 19, 2000
Box Score
BETLEHEM, PA.--- Traveling to Bethlehem, Pa., on Wednesday, April 20, looking for a seventh straight victory, the Villanova baseball team extended its hot streak by defeating Lehigh University 16-3. The Wildcats pounded out 15 hits and scored 16 runs for the second straight contest. With the victory, Villanova improves to 20-17 overall on the season. The Mountain Hawks fall to 15-16 with Wednesday's loss.
Holding a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning, the Wildcat offense began to heat up. Villanova scored two in the inning, on RBI by first baseman Rob Cafiero and shortstop Brendan Trainor, to increase its advantage to 6-3.
One inning later, the Wildcats put the game away. Cafiero hit a sac fly for his second RBI and freshman third baseman doubled in two more, as Villanova put four more on the scoreboard to make it a 10-3 score after six innings of play.
The `Cats put the finishing touches on a lopsided victory in the seventh, as a three-run home run by Duncan sparked a six-run inning. By the end of the frame, Villanova held a 13-run lead and coasted to the 16-3 win.
Scott Ward got the win on the mound for the Wildcats with two and two-thirds innings of no-hit baseball. Ward struck out two and walked one in the game, improving to 1-0 on the season. Taking the loss for Lehigh was Chris Hughes, who falls to 0-2.
At the plate for Villanova, five Wildcats posted two hits. Freshman Chris Graziano went two-for-five with a double, two runs scored and one RBI. Leftfielder Dave Pizzini went two-for-three with three runs scored, as he improved his season average to .434. Pizzini came into the game ranked 23rd in the nation in batting with a .430 average.
Also putting together outstanding games at the plate were Duncan, catcher John Picone and rightfielder Brian Hearne. Duncan went two-for-three with a double, home run and five RBI. Picone went two-for-two with a home run and two RBI. Hearne went two-for-five with two runs scored.
Villanova resumes Big East play on Thursday, April 20, traveling to Storrs, Conn., to face the Huskies in a doubleheader beginning at noon.
