May 15, 2002
Box Score
NEWARK, DEL. - The afternoon started off in fine fashion for the Villanova baseball team as the Wildcats scored three first inning runs against the University of Delaware on Wednesday, May 15, at Bob Hannah Stadium, but the Fightin' Blue Hens came back with eight unanswered runs to take over the game in what would be a 14-6 victory. Freshmen right-hander Nick Allen (6-1) took his first career loss, as the `Cats fell to 28-22 overall on the season. Delaware, which posted 18 hits in the victory, improved to 34-20 on the year.
Junior centerfielder Chris Graziano led off the top of the first inning for Villanova by lining a double off the right-field wall. With two on and one out in the inning, Graziano and first baseman Rob Cafiero each advanced a base on a wild pitch by Hens' starter Ryan Dulaney. Third baseman Brendan Mannix gave the Wildcats their first lead, 1-0, on an RBI groundout to second base to score Graziano. After a walk to designated hitter Adrian Schau, leftfielder Brian Newbold drilled a two-run double into the gap in right-center field to give Villanova a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Delaware responded with two runs off of Allen to cut the Wildcat advantage to 3-2. First baseman Steve Harden struck the big blow with a two-run single to left.
One inning later, the Blue Hens tied the game at 3-3. Allen retired the first two batters of the inning on groundouts but walked catcher John Schneider to extend the inning. Two batters later with runners at the corners, designated hitter Doug Eitelman singled home Schneider to tie the game.
Delaware scored five more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to break the contest open and knock Allen from the game. Leadoff hitter Casey Fahy singled to start the frame and stole second and third to set up the go-ahead run. He would later score on a sacrifice fly by centerfielder Reid Gorecki. The Hens would add to their lead on an RBI double by third baseman Mark Michael, a two-run double by Schneider and an RBI double by Eitelman to take a commanding 8-3 lead.
Villanova pulled itself closer in the top of the fifth with three runs to cut the Delaware lead to 8-6. The Wildcats' first run came home as Mannix scored on a wild pitch. The second run of the inning for the `Cats came on a sacrifice fly to rightfield by catcher Greg Fater. Villanova tacked on one more run later in the inning, as shortstop Brian Trotta lined an RBI single up the middle to pull the Wildcats within two runs.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Blue Hens made the runs back as the Delaware offense responded with three runs of its own. After a Fahy walk to leadoff the inning, Gorecki hit a two-run home run off of Wildcat reliever Mike Grodecki to increase the Hens' lead to 10-6. Later in the inning with Villanova reliever James Baxter now on the hill, rightfielder Steve Van Note hit a solo home run to right-center field to make it an 11-6 ballgame.
Delaware would take on one run in the seventh and two more in the eighth to cruise to a 14-6 victory. The Blue Hens took the season from the Wildcats two games to none.
Dulaney got the win for Delaware to improve to 5-0. He allowed six runs (four earned) on nine hits in five innings, striking out three and walking three.
Allen allowed seven runs on 11 hits in three and one-third innings to take the loss for Villanova. The bright note for the Wildcat bullpen was Baxter, who struck out a career-high five batters in three innings of relief.
At the plate for Villanova, Graziano went three-for-five with a double and one run scored, Cafiero, Mannix and Trotta each went two-for-four, and Newbold went one-for-five with a double and a team-high two RBI.
For Delaware, Gorecki went two-for-three with a double, home run and three RBI, while Van Note, Brock Donovan and Eitelman each had three hits apiece.
Villanova will get back into action on Friday, traveling to Seton Hall to face the Pirates in a Big East doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m.
