March 12, 2002
Box Score
WEST CHESTER, PA. - On Tuesday, March 12, at Serpico Stadium in West Chester, Pa., the Villanova baseball team posted its fifth consecutive victory by defeating West Chester University by the score of 7-3. Since starting the 2002 season off 0-4, the Wildcats have reeled off eight wins in their last 10 games and currently own an 8-6 record. The Golden Rams fell to 7-5 on the year with Tuesday's loss.
In the top of the second inning, the Villanova offense got started as third baseman Dustin Downs began the inning with a walk. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Downs came around to score on a double by designated hitter Ryan Crammer. With Crammer on third base and one out, shortstop Brian Trotta singled up the middle to give the `Cats a 2-0 advantage.
Villanova starter Dan Farino got into trouble in the third and fourth innings, but buckled down and forced West Chester hitters to ground into inning-ending double plays in each of those innings. With the Wildcats still clinging to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, the Golden Rams looked to rally as they put runners on first and third with no outs. Farino wasted no time in ending the scoring threat as he got center fielder Ryan Flynn to line to second, right fielder Josh Wagner to strike out swinging and Michael LaRosa to ground to Downs at third.
Villanova extended its lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Downs got things started again for the `Cats with a leadoff double. Crammer followed with a single through the left side to move Downs to third base. With one out, Trotta walked to load the bases for Villanova. Rams starting pitched Dan Gentekos walked the next batter, Wildcat catcher Greg Fater, to force in Downs with Villanova's third run of the game. Stephen Fleck replaced Gentekos on the mound for WCU and promptly struck out Wildcat center fielder Chris Graziano for the second out of the inning. Second baseman Brendan Trainor extended the Villanova lead as he bounced a hard-hit grounder over the head of Rams first baseman Eric Boettcher to score Crammer and Trotta and give the `Cats a 6-0 advantage.
The Wildcats would wind down their scoring in the top of the seventh inning, as they added one more run to take a commanding 7-0 lead. After tripling to center to lead off the inning, Downs scored Villanova's seventh run two batters later on a wild pitch by Fleck.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, West Chester tried to rally against Wildcat reliever James Baxter. The Golden Rams scored three runs in the inning to cut the Villanova advantage to 7-3. Boettcher and Toner highlighted the inning for WCU with RBI singles. Baxter closed the door on any further rally, striking out designated hitter Dan Newton to end the inning.
Wildcat left-hander Mike Ciccotelli came in the game in the ninth inning and made easy work of West Chester, sending the Rams down 1-2-3. Ciccotelli ended the game by striking out Wagner.
Farino (1-0) got the win for Villanova, throwing five scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits and two walks in the game, while striking out three. Junior John Yeager came on in the sixth inning and pitched two shutout innings of relief.
Taking the loss for West Chester was Gentekos, who falls to 0-2 on the year. He allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits in five and one-third innings, striking out four and walking five.
At the plate for the Wildcats, Downs went three-for-four with a single, double, triple and three runs scored. Crammer was outstanding for the `Cats as well, going two-for-four with a double and a RBI.
Villanova will get back into action on Friday, March 15, hosting Coppin State in the Wildcats' 2002 home opener at 3:00 p.m., at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia.
