April 28, 2000
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, PA.--- At Hank DeVincent Field in Philadelphia, on Friday, April 28, the Villanova baseball team defeated La Salle University, 9-6, to sweep the season series versus the Explorers four games to none. The Wildcats' record improves to 23-20 with Friday's victory, while La Salle drops to 8-31.
Villanova opened up the scoring in the third inning, as freshman centerfielder Chris Graziano got the 'Cats started with a bunt single down the third base line. Graziano stole second and would later score on a RBI double by junior leftfielder Dave Pizzini. Longo followed with a RBI double of his own to score Pizzini with Villanova's second run. Rightfielder John Picone and designated hitter Jason Petre would add RBI singles later in the inning to give the Wildcats a 4-0 lead after three innings.
In the fourth, Villanova would add to its lead as a bases loaded walk by Longo plated third baseman Mark Rocca to increase the Wildcats advantage to 5-0.
The Explorers ended senior Will Henry's shutout bid in the fourth, as La Salle scored two runs to close the gap to 5-2. Leftfielder Chuck Angelini and shortstop Kevin Ibach each had RBI in the inning for the Explorers.
Not satisfied with its three-run lead, Villanova struck back with another four-run inning in the fifth against La Salle reliever Paul Blasetti. The Wildcats scored all four runs without a hit, instead being helped out by four walks, two hit batters and a costly Explorer error. Villanova's big inning made it a 9-2 game after five innings of play.
After La Salle added three more runs in the seventh, Scott Ward came on to relieve Henry for the Wildcats. The Explorers were no match for Ward, who closed the game out with two and one third shutout inning, allowing just one hit and striking out two. The save was the second of the season for the junior righty, who has held opponents to a .143 batting average thus far in 2000. Ward's save gave Henry his first win of the season, as he improves to 1-2. Henry went 6.2 innings, surrendering 12 hits and five runs, striking out five without walking a batter.
Taking the loss for La Salle was Wally Faulkner (0-6), who gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings, striking out two and walking five.
At the plate for Villanova, Longo went two-for-three with two doubles, three runs scored, a stolen base, and two RBI. Graziano went one-for-four with a walk, one stolen base, and two runs scored. Pizzini had one hit in five at-bats, tallying one double, two runs scored and one RBI. Picone went one-for-four with two RBI. Petre, seeing his first action of the year at the plate, went two-for-four with one RBI.
The Wildcats will get back into action on May 6-7, as they travel to St. John's for a three-game series at Shea Stadium. Villanova will play one on Saturday, May 6 at 3:00 p.m., and a doubleheader on Sunday, May 7, at 12:00 p.m.
