March 24, 2002

Box Score

JAMAICA, N.Y. - In third and final game of a three-game Big East Conference series on Sunday, March 24, at the Ballpark at St. John's in Jamaica, N.Y., the Villanova baseball team defeated St. John's by the score of 5-3 for its first Big East win of the 2002 season. The Wildcats improved to 12-8 overall and 1-2 in conference action with the win, while the Red Storm fell to 8-10 overall and 2-1 in Big East action.

Villanova started the game strong, scoring two runs on two hits in the top of the first inning. Second baseman Brendan Trainor earned a one-out walk for the Wildcats. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Trainor scored on an RBI single to center by first baseman Rob Cafiero to give Villanova a 1-0 lead. Cafiero advanced to second on the throw to the plate. The `Cats extended their lead to 2-0 one batter later when left fielder Adrian Schau doubled to right-center to score Cafiero.

In the top of the fifth inning, Villanova added to its lead as Cafiero hit a two-out solo home run over the left field wall to give the Wildcats a 3-0 advantage. The home run was Cafiero's fifth of the season.

Villanova hit its second solo home run in two innings, as designated hitter Brendan Mannix hit a two-out blast to straight away center field. The home run was Mannix's first of the season and gave the Wildcats a 4-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh inning, St. John's reliever Mike Holden walked Trainor with one out. Cafiero followed Trainor with an RBI double down the left field line to give Villanova a 5-0 advantage. Looking to add to the lead, Cafiero headed home on a wild pitch but was thrown out at the plate to keep the Wildcat lead at 5-0.

Grzenda cruised through the first six innings, surrendering just three hits while holding the Red Storm scoreless.

St. John's broke Grzenda's shutout bid in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Anthony DeRosa hit a leadoff home run off of the left field foul pole to cut the Villanova lead to 5-1. With two runners on, sophomore Dan Farino came on in relief of Grzenda. After a sacrifice advancing runners to second and third, center fielder Billy Graiser hit a two-run single to right-center to trim the Wildcat lead to 5-3. Farino got pinch hitter Blake Hershelman to ground into a 4-6-3 double play, however, to end the inning with Villanova maintaining a 5-3 lead.

Wildcat closer James Russell came on to begin the eighth inning. Russell pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth innings for his fifth save of the year. His saved preserved the win for Grzenda, who improved to 3-1.

In the top of the third inning, center fielder Chris Graziano stole his 62nd career base, breaking the Villanova all-time career record of 61 held by Brian Fili (1994-97).

At the plate for the Wildcats, Cafiero went three-for-four with a double, home run and three RBI. Mannix went two-for-four with a home run and a RBI.