March 27, 2001
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, PA- On Tuesday, March 27, the Villanova University baseball team traveled to La Salle University and broke out a 13-hit, 11-run attack to hammer the hometown Explorers, 11-6, at Hank DeVincent Field. The top five batters in the lineup for the Wildcats combined to go nine-for-22 with six RBI, as Villanova improved to 9-10-1 overall on the season. La Salle fell to 4-12-0 on the year with Tuesday's loss.
In the top of the first inning, designated hitter Nick Piantek recorded a RBI groundout and first baseman Mike Houser added a RBI single as the Wildcats leaped out to a 2-0 lead. The Explorers tied the contest at 2-2 in the second inning off of Villanova starter Tom Kandybowicz. First baseman Mike Fuchs had a RBI single in the inning for La Salle.
Down 3-2 going into the third inning, the Wildcats staged a two-out rally. Piantek started the rally with a walk and scored one batter later as third baseman Rob Cafiero doubled to right-centerfield to tie the game at 3-3.
Villanova pulled ahead in the fifth inning, as centerfielder Chris Graziano's baserunning caused headaches for the Explorers. Graziano singled to left field with one out, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by La Salle catcher Mike Kelly. Second baseman Matt Longo followed with a RBI single through the right side to give the Wildcats a one-run lead at 4-3.
After watching La Salle score two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning against reliever Adrian Schau to take a 5-4 advantage, the Villanova offense awoke in the seventh. The Wildcats loaded the bases on singles by Longo and Piantek and a walk by Cafiero. Houser came to the plate with one out and lined a base-clearing double to left-center to give the `Cats the lead once again at 7-5.
In the eighth inning with two outs and runners at the corners, Villanova pulled off a double steal as Longo stole second and Graziano stole home. The steal was Graziano's third of the game and 19th of the season, as the Wildcats took an 8-5 lead.
Holding an 8-5 advantage heading into the final frame, Villanova scored three more times to pull away. Sophomore rightfielder Brian Newbold hit a solo home run, his first career long ball, and catcher Marshall Canosa posted a RBI double in the inning as the Wildcats coasted to the 11-6 victory.
Sophomore reliever Mark Rocca (1-0) picked up his first win of the season for Villanova, pitching two no-hit innings, striking out two and walking one. Starter Shawn McCann got the loss for La Salle, allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits in seven innings.
At the plate for the Wildcats, Graziano went two-for-five with three stolen bases and three runs scored. Also registering outstanding performances were Longo who went three-for-five with two runs and one RBI, Piantek went one-for-four with two runs and one RBI, Cafiero went one-for-four with a double and a RBI, and Houser went two-for-four with a game-high three RBI.
Villanova will get back into action on Wednesday, March 28, as the Wildcats play host to Temple at 3:00 p.m. at Richie Ashburn Field.
