March 30, 2002
Box Score
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - In game two of a Big East doubleheader on Saturday, March 30, at the Class of `53 Baseball Complex, the Villanova baseball team was defeated by Rutgers, 7-2, as the Scarlet Knights swept the doubleheader from the Wildcats. The `Cats fall to 14-11 overall and 3-4 in Big East play with the loss, while Rutgers improves to 11-11 overall and 2-5 in conference action.
Rutgers claimed an early 2-0 advantage, scoring two runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning. Right fielder Val Majewski hit a solo home run over the right-center field wall to five the Scarlet Knights a 1-0 lead. Rutgers would extend its lead to two runs later in the inning on an RBI single by catcher Alberto Vasquez.
The Scarlet Knights looked to increase their advantage in the third inning, but Villanova ended Rutgers chances at more runs with a tremendous defensive effort. First baseman Steve Normane led the inning off with a single. Vasquez followed with a double off the left field wall, but Normane was thrown out at the plate 7-6-2 to keep the Scarlet Knights' lead at two runs.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Rutgers padded its lead with two more runs to take a 4-0 advantage. Normane had an RBI triple in the inning, while Vasquez added an RBI groundout.
Villanova finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, left fielder Adrian Schau broke up Rutgers' starter Tom Wheeler's no-hitter with a single to center. One batter later, third baseman Brendan Mannix lined a two-run home run over the right-field fence to cut the Scarlet Knights' lead to 4-2.
Rutgers scored one run in the seventh and two more in the eighth to take a commanding 7-2 advantage. Vasquez had an Rbi in the seventh for the Scarlet Knights, while Majewski had an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to help Rutgers cruise to a 7-2 victory.
Senior Bob Grzenda took the loss for the Wildcats to fall to 3-2. He allowed four runs on 10 hits in five innings, striking out three and walking one.
Getting the victory on the mound for Rutgers was Wheeler, who improves to 4-1 on the year. He gave up two runs on just two hits in eight innings, striking out seven and walking two.
For Rutgers, Majewski went three-for-five with a double, a home run and two RBI. Mannix went one-for-four with a home run and two RBI for Villanova.
The Wildcats will next play on April 2, hosting Lehigh at 3:00 p.m.
