April 18, 2001
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, PA - In a windy, frigid day at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia, the Villanova baseball team was defeated by the University of Delaware, 10-3, as the Fightin' Blue Hens scored six runs in the eighth to pull away to a seven-run victory. With the loss, the Wildcats' three-game winning streak came to an end, as their record fell to 18-18-1. Delaware improved to 23-10 overall with Wednesday's victory.
Villanova scored one run in the bottom of the first inning, to take an early 1-0 lead. Right fielder Brian Newbold walked and advanced to second on a single through the left side by left fielder Dave Pizzini. Newbold advanced to third one batter later, as designated hitter Nick Piantek grounded into a 5-4-3 double play, and would later score on a wild pitch by Blue Hen starter Mike Pelcher.
In the top of the second inning, the Delaware offense came alive against Wildcat starter John Yeager. Following two straight one-out hits, first baseman Steve Harden hit a two-run double to center to give the Blue Hens a 2-1 advantage. Assisted by an error from centerfielder Dan Rohan, and two bloop hits, Delaware added two more runs in the fourth to increase its lead to 4-1.
Villanova closed the gap to two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Rohan redeemed himself for his second inning fielding error. Shortstop Brian Trotta walked to begin the fifth for the `Cats and went to second on a wild pitch. Rohan followed with a double over the head of Blue Hen left fielder Reid Gorecki to bring home Trotta with Villanova's second run. The RBI was the first of Rohan's career, who had hit first collegiate hit earlier in the contest.
The Wildcats looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners at second and third with just one out. Delaware reliever Vic Sage got Newbold and Pizzini to hit grounders back to the mound to end the Villanova scoring threat.
The Blue Hens put the game away in the top of the eighth inning, posting six straight singles off of Wildcat relief pitcher Jason Petre to take a 10-2 advantage. Gorecki had the big hit for Delaware, lining a two-run single up the middle for his second and third RBI of the game.
Villanova added one run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a RBI single by first baseman Rob Cafiero, but it was not nearly enough as the Blue Hens went on for a 10-3 victory.
Pelcher (4-2) got the win on the mound for Delaware, allowing two runs on six hits in five innings striking out two and walking two. Yeager took the loss for the Wildcats to fall to 4-2 on the season.
At the plate for Villanova, Rohan went two-for-three with a double and a RBI, while Pizzini went two-for-five. For the Blue Hens in the win, second baseman Andrew Salvo went four-for-five with a RBI, while Harden and Gorecki each went two-for-four with three RBI apiece.
The Wildcats will travel to Notre Dame this weekend to take on the No. 2 ranked Fighting Irish in a three-game series. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday at 12:00 p.m., and a single game on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
