Sept. 11, 2001

VILLANOVA, Pa. - On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Villanova Head Baseball Coach Joe Godri released the Wildcats' schedule for the upcoming 2002 season. Villanova looks to improve on last year's 25-25-1 mark with a strong schedule that includes a mix of both new and familiar opponents. This spring's schedule is highlighted by three trips to open the season, including a season opening three-game series against 2001 College World Series participant Tulane from February 15-17 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Following the series against Tulane, the Wildcats will travel to Memphis, Tennessee for the 2002 USA Baseball Millington Tournament. This year's participants in the tournament also include Navy, Air Force, and Memphis State.

Before beginning the northern part of their schedule on March 12 at West Chester, the 'Cats will make their annual trip to Florida, where five games will be played against teams to be announced in Miami, Florida. The 'Cats home-opener will take place on March 15 against Coppin State University.

Villanova's rivalries against Philadelphia area schools will culminate in the 2002 Liberty Bell Classic, to be played at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia at dates and times to be determined. The 'Cats will look to capture their first Liberty Bell title since 1999.

The usual 26-game Big East slate begins on March 23rd when Villanova travels to Jamaica, New York to take on St. John's University in a three-game series. Included in the Wildcats conference schedule are series against 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament participants Rutgers, Notre Dame, and Seton Hall. The Big East Conference Playoffs, held for the top four regular season finishers, will take place from May 23-26 at a site to be determined.

"This year's schedule gives us some new exposure to different cities and different teams," said head coach Joe Godri. "We are trying to diversify our schedule both at home and on the road so that Villanova baseball can get more national recognition. We've also raised the bar for out of conference play with the type of schedule that we will be playing."

2002 Villanova Baseball Schedule
Feb 15      @ Tulane
Feb 16      @ Tulane
Feb 17      @ Tulane
Feb 22-24   USA Baseball Millington Tournament @ Memphis, TN
Mar 2-7     5 games TBD @ Miami, Fla.
Mar 12      @ Westchester
Mar 15      Coppin State
Mar 16      Coppin State
Mar 17      Coppin State
Mar 20      La Salle
Mar 23      @ St. John's (2)
Mar 24      @ St. John's
Mar 26      Marist
Mar 28      @ Georgetown (2)
Mar 30      @ Rutgers (2)
Apr 2       Lehigh
Apr 4       St. Joseph's (site TBD)
Apr 6       Virginia Tech (2)
Apr 7       Virginia Tech
Apr 9       @ Drexel
Apr 10      St. Joseph's
Apr 12      Connecticut (2)
Apr 14      West Virginia (2)
Apr 16      @ La Salle
Apr 17      @ Penn
Apr 20      Boston College (2)
Apr 21      Boston College
Apr 24      Drexel
Apr 27      @ Pittsburgh (2)
Apr 28      @ Pittsburgh
Apr 30      Howard
May 1       @ Temple
May 11      Notre Dame
May 12      Notre Dame (2)
May 15      @ Delaware
May 17      @ Seton Hall
May 18      @ Seton Hall
May 19      @ Seton Hall
May 23-26   Big East Playoffs
Liberty Bell Classic Dates and Opponents TBD @ Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, PA