April 10, 2001

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, PA- On Tuesday, April 10, at Alumni Field in Philadelphia, the Villanova University baseball team reached the .500 mark for the season at 15-15-1, by pounding out 24 runs on 18 hits in a lop-sided 24-2 victory over Philadelphia University. The Wildcats' 24 runs were a season-high, as were the four home runs that Villanova belted on Tuesday.

In the top of the first inning, center fielder Chris Graziano doubled down the left field line to start it off for Villanova. Following a walk to Wildcat second baseman Matt Longo, both runners moved up on a wild pitch to place runners at second and third with no outs. After a walk to left fielder Dave Pizzini, Philadelphia University catcher Bill Breining was charged with a passed ball allowing Graziano to score and Longo and Pizzini to move into scoring position. The next batter, designated hitter Nick Piantek, reached on a fielder's choice and picked up a RBI on the play as Longo scored to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead after the first half inning.

The Rams (7-19-1) tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the first inning as they posted three hits off of Villanova starter Mark Rocca. Breining had a RBI double for Philadelphia's first run, and right fielder Steve Torpey added a RBI groundout to tie the score after one inning.

Taking advantage of a walk and an error by Ram pitcher Adam Richards, the Wildcats pulled ahead, 3-2, on a RBI groundout by Longo in the top of the second inning.

Villanova capitalized on some faulty Philadelphia fielding in the third. Piantek and first baseman Rob Cafiero started the inning with back-to-back singles. Attempting to sacrifice both runners, right fielder Brian Newbold laid down a bunt which was thrown over the first baseman's head by Philadelphia third baseman Dan Schmincke, allowing Piantek to score. Wildcat third baseman Mike Duncan followed Newbold with a RBI groundout giving Villanova a comfortable 5-2 advantage.

The Wildcats put the game away in the fourth inning, plating 11 runs on six hits to take a commanding 16-2 lead. Five `Cats had at least one RBI in the inning for Villanova, led by center fielder Brian Hearne and pinch hitter Mike Houser who each had three RBI apiece. Houser hit his first home run of the season, a three-run shot that easily cleared the left-centerfield wall. Other big hitters in the inning for the Wildcats included Cafiero who hit a two-run double, Newbold who hit a RBI double, and pinch hitter Ryan Crammer who lined a RBI single to right center.

Villanova continued piling on the runs in the top of the sixth inning. With one out in the inning, left fielder Dan Farino singled through the left side. After Houser reached on a fielder's choice forcing Farino out at second, right fielder Ryan Hopper hit his first career home run, a two-run blast, over the wall in right to increase the Wildcats' lead to 18-2. Duncan followed Hopper with a solo home run to left-center, his second long ball of the year, to give the `Cats a 19-2 advantage.

In the top of the seventh inning, Dan Russomanno pinch hit for pitcher Scott Ward and hit a long double to right-center. The double was Russomanno's first career hit. Before the frame was over, Farino hit a RBI double and Houser lined a RBI single through the right side to put Villanova over the 20-run mark for the first time in 2001 at 21-2.

With a 23-2 lead in the top of the ninth, Dan Glover capped off an outstanding offensive day for the Wildcats by hammering a tremendous solo home run well over the left field fence. Glovers home run was his second of the season and gave Villanova a 24-2 win.

Getting the win on the mound for the Wildcats was freshman Mike Ciccotelli, who threw two scoreless, no-hit innings of relief striking out three Ram batters. The victory was the first of Ciccotelli's Villanova career. Starting but not factoring in the decision was sophomore Mark Rocca, who gave up two runs on four hits in two innings. Five different Wildcats followed Ciccotelli and pitched one scoreless inning of relief apiece- Hearne, Ward, sophomore James Russell, freshman Matthew Davis, and freshman Adrian Schau.

Taking the loss for Philadelphia was starter Adam Richards, who allowed nine runs (six earned) on four hits and eight walks in three innings.

Four Wildcats had two or more hits for Villanova on Tuesday. Crammer finished the game three-for-four with two RBI, Farino went two-for-three with a double and a RBI, Cafiero went two-for-three with a double and two RBI, and Houser went two-for-four with a home run and a game-high four RBI.

Villanova will next play on Thursday, April 12, hosting Rutgers for a Big East doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m.