Feb. 23, 2002
Box Score
MILLINGTON, TN. - In the second game of a Saturday doubleheader on Feb. 23, at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn., Wildcat shortstop Dustin Downs hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Villanova a 9-7 victory over Memphis (2-1). With the victory, the `Cats (2-4) advance to the championship game of the Service Academy Classic.
Villanova took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning of game two. Center fielder Chris Graziano doubled to left to begin the inning and advanced to third on a flyout to center by Brendan Trainor. First baseman Rob Cafiero followed with a RBI double to center field to score Graziano and give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the second, the Tigers scored two runs off of Villanova starter Tom Kandybowicz to take a 2-1advantage. That was the first time of the day in which the Wildcats trailed. Kyle Sledd and Brent Dlugach each had RBI singles for Memphis in the inning.
Villanova wasted no time in rallying, as they scored twice in the third to reclaim the lead at 3-2. With two runners on and two outs, designated hitter Ryan Crammer single through the right side scoring Cafiero and Trainor.
The `Cats added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Villanova took advantage of three Memphis miscues, as catcher Greg Fater scored on an error by second baseman James Rouse and Wildcat left fielder Adrian Schau singled to third to score Trainor who reached on another error by Rouse.
A three-run Villanova advantage would increase to four runs in the bottom of the sixth as Trainor hit a solo home run to right to give the `Cats a 6-2 lead.
Villanova took that same 6-2 lead into the eighth inning when freshman right-handed Nick Allen came on in relief of Wildcat starter Tom Kandybowicz. Allen started the inning hitting Rouse, but followed that with a strikeout of Paul Cookman. The following batter, Barrett Smith, was hit by another pitch by Allen putting runners at first and second. After another strikeout for the second out of the inning, senior left-hander Brian Hearne replaced Allen. Hearne walked the first batter he faced in Andy Gasell to load the bases with two outs. Schau came in from left field to face the Tigers' Kyle Scott. Scott singled to left off of Schau to score two runs and cut the Villanova lead to 6-4. Memphis sent pinch hitter Jay Fik to the plate to face Schau. Fik drilled a Schau offering over the right field wall to erase the Wildcat lead and give the Tigers a 7-6 advantage.
The game remained 7-6 as Villanova came up to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one out in the ninth, Alan Day was hit by a pitch from Josh Cartwright. Left fielder Brian Newbold, who entered the game one inning earlier when Schau moved from left to pitcher, singled to right center to place runners at first and second with one out and Downs coming to the plate. Downs blasted a Cartwright pitch over the wall in left field for a game-winning, three-run home run to give the Wildcats the 9-7 victory.
Kandybowicz pitched well but did not factor in the decision for Villanova. He gave up just two runs on six hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out five. Schau (1-0) got the win in relief for the Wildcats, while Cartwright (0-1) took the loss for Memphis.
At the plate for Villanova, Downs went two-for-four with the game-winning home run and three RBI. Trainor went three-for-five with a home run and one RBI. Crammer (2 RBI) and Cafiero ( 1 RBI) each had two hits for the Wildcats.
Villanova will play in the championship game of the Service Academy Classic on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 12:30 p.m., at USA Stadium.
