March 12, 2001
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, PA- In the 2001 home opener for the Villanova University baseball team on Monday, March 12, at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia, the Wildcats defeated West Chester University, 8-2, for their third consecutive victory. Villanova improved to 6-3 overall on the season with the victory, while the Golden Rams fell to 6-7 with Monday's loss.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, as they hammered out three hits against West Chester starter Paul Spiewak. Center fielder Chris Graziano walked to leadoff the inning and stole second base for his tenth steal of the year. Left fielder Dave Pizzini reached on an error by Rams' center fielder Bill Cooper, allowing Graziano to advance to third. Designated hitter Nick Piantek followed with a sacrifice fly to give Villanova a 1-0 lead. Before the inning was over, third baseman Rob Cafiero recorded an RBI single and right fielder Brian Hearne tallied a two-run single to give the `Cats a 4-0 advantage after one inning.
In the top of the third inning, West Chester pulled to within 4-1 on an unearned run. With one out, Ken Harrison reached on an error by Wildcat first baseman Mike Houser. After stealing second base, Harrison scored on an RBI double by designated hitter Adam Rosenthal.
Villanova padded its lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the inning. Houser singled through the right side to start the inning, advanced to second on a passed ball, and to third on a wild pitch. Cafiero followed with an RBI groundout for his second RBI of the game to five the `Cats a four-run advantage.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Villanova added two more runs to the board to extend its lead to 7-1. Cafiero scored on a wild pitch for the first run of the inning, and catcher Dan Glover added an RBI single to round out the Wildcats' fifth inning scoring.
After the Golden Rams scored one run in the top of the eighth inning to close to within 7-2, Villanova retaliated with one run of its out to go on to the 8-2 victory.
Getting the win for the Wildcats was sophomore Brian Slocum, who improved to 2-1 on the year. Slocum pitched three inning, giving up one unearned run on two hits, striking out five and walking two. Freshman Dan Farino relieved Slocum in the fourth, and went three no-hit inning striking out one batter. Throwing the last three innings for Villanova was senior Jason Petre, who allowed one run on three hits, striking out two and walking one.
Taking the loss for West Chester was Spiewak, who surrendered seven runs (six earned) on eight hits, walking five and striking out one.
At the plate for the Wildcats, second baseman Matt Longo went three for four with three doubles and two runs scored. Cafiero had a tremendous afternoon as well, with two hits and two RBI. Stealing two more bases was Graziano, who now has 11 on the season.
Villanova will resume play on Tuesday, March 13, hosting St. Joseph's at 3:00 p.m. at Richie Ashburn Field.
