April 12, 2001

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J.- In game two of a Big East doubleheader on Thursday, April 12, at the Class of `53 Baseball Complex in Piscataway, N.J., the Villanova baseball team was blanked by Rutgers University, 14-0, behind a complete game shutout from junior right-hander Tom Wheeler. The Wildcats fell to 15-17-1 overall and 5-10 in the Big East with Thursday's losses, while the Scarlet Knights improved to 27-10 overall and 10-5 in conference play.

Despite a relatively easy first inning for Villanova starter Tom Kandybowicz in game two, Rutgers jumped all over him in the second inning. The Scarlet Knights hammered Kandybowicz for eight runs on six hits and two walks, before sophomore James Russell came on in relief to get the final two outs of the inning. Rutgers' left fielder Leon Shade, shortstop Tim Sweeney and first baseman Val Majewski each had two RBI in the inning for the Scarlet Knights, who took an 8-0 lead after one and a half innings.

The Scarlet Knights would add one run in the third, two in the fifth and three more runs in the seventh inning en route to a convincing 14-0 victory over Villanova.

Wheeler pitched a gem on the mound for Rutgers, allowing just seven hits and two walks in nine innings, while striking out six. He improved his season record to 4-2 with Thursday's game two victory.

Kandybowicz took the loss for the Wildcats to fall to 3-2. Bright spots for Villanova on the mound were Russell who allowed just one run on three hits in two and two-thirds solid innings of relief, and sophomore Adrian Shau and junior Brian Hearne who each tossed one shutout inning of relief.

At the plate for the Wildcats, left fielder Dave Pizzini went two-for-four to improve his season average to .409 overall and .400 in Big East play.

Villanova will next play on Saturday, April 14, hosting the Georgetown Hoyas in a Big East doubleheader at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia beginning at 12:00 p.m.