March 19, 2001
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, PA- On Monday, March 19, at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia, the Villanova baseball team dropped the final game of a three-game series against Seton Hall, 5-1, as the Pirates took the series two games to one. The Wildcats fell to 7-6-1 overall and 1-2 in the Big East with the loss, while Seton Hall improved to 5-9 overall and 2-1 in conference action.
The Pirates struck first, scoring twice in the second inning on a Casey Grimm two-run home run over the right field wall off of Villanova starter Bob Grzenda. The home run was the first one surrendered by Grzenda in 2001.
With Seton Hall still leading 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning, the Wildcat defense broke down. Errors by second baseman Matt Longo and centerfielder Chris Graziano placed runners at first and second with no outs. Following two Grzenda strikeouts, Pirate shortstop Chris Carter lined a double into the left-centerfield gap to score two more runs and give Seton Hall a commanding 4-0 advantage.
One inning later, another Villanova error led to an unearned run by the Pirates. Third baseman Joe Scott singled with one out in the inning, stole second and advanced to third on a faulty pick-off attempt by Grzenda. A sacrifice fly by rightfielder Joe Cuervo scored Scott to pad the Seton Hall lead to 5-0.
Freshman pitcher Adrian Schau relieved Grzenda to start the sixth inning for the Wildcats, and pitched three strong innings of relief for Villanova. Schau did not allow a run and gave up just two hits while striking out one batter.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Wildcat finally got on the scoreboard. With a runner on first and one out, leftfielder Dave Pizzini doubled to right field to put runners on second and third. After left-hander Isaac Pavlik came on in relief of Seton Hall starter Chris Riley, Villanova second baseman Brendan Trainor hit a sac fly to center field to score shortstop Brian Trotta with the Wildcats' first and only run of the game.
Reilly (1-0) earned his first victory of the season on the mound for the Pirates, pitching five shutout innings. Grzenda (0-2) took the loss for Villanova, giving up five runs (just two earned) on five hits in five innings, striking out five.
The Wildcats will get back into action on Tuesday, March 20, hosting the St. Joseph's Hawks at 3:00 p.m., at Richie Ashburn Field.
