April 6, 2002
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, PA. - In the second game of Saturday doubleheader on April 6, at Richie Ashburn Field, the Villanova baseball team was shutout for the second consecutive game by Virginia Tech, falling to the Hokies by a 2-0 margin. The Wildcats record falls to 16-13 overall and 3-6 in the Big East with the loss, while Virginia Tech improves to 14-12 overall and 6-3 in conference action.
The Hokies struck early against Villanova starter Brian Slocum. First baseman Chris Winterfeldt singled up the middle to start the game. Two batters later center fielder Brad Bauder singled to right to move Winterfeldt to third. With Jed English at the plate for Virginia Tech, Bauder took off for second and slid in safely for a stolen base. The throw to second by Wildcat catcher Marshall Canosa was high, allowing Winterfeldt to score the first run of the game and give the Hokies a 1-0 advantage.
The Villanova offense had its chanced against Virginia Tech starter Jason Bush, but could not convert as they left nine runners on base through the first seven innings. In the bottom of the seventh, Villanova loaded the bases with two outs, but Bush struck out first baseman Rob Cafiero on a 3-2 count to keep the Hokies' lead at 1-0.
In the top of the eighth, designated hitter Jed English started the inning by hitting a ground ball to shortstop, which got by Dustin Downs for a Wildcat error. With one out and pinch runner Tom Blaszak on second, catcher Wyatt Toregas drilled an RBI double to right field to increase the Virginia Tech lead to 2-0.
The Hokies' bullpen did the job in the final two innings, as relievers Pat Pinkman and Matt Dalton each throw one scoreless inning to seal the 2-0 Virginia Tech victory. Bush got the win for the Hokies to improve to 4-2. Dalton came on and picked up his fourth save of the year.
Slocum took the loss for the Wildcats to fall to 2-2. Villanova reliever Dan Farino pitched outstanding in relief despite not factoring in the decision. Farino allowed just one unearned run on three hits in four and one-third innings.
On offense for the Wildcats in the loss, center fielder Chris Graziano went two-for-three with a stolen base, and left fielder Adrian Schau went three-for-four. At the plate for Virginia Tech, Toregas went one-for-three with a double and an RBI.
Villanova and Virginia Tech will wind down the series on Sunday, facing off in game three at 12:00 p.m.
