Villanova, Pa. – The Wildcats took down Fairfield 9-5 in their home opener in a crazy game.

Paige Rauch opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with an absolute bomb to left center to give Villanova a 1-0 lead. Delaney Switzer then hit a two run double scoring Rauch and Angela Giampolo and then scored on a wild pitch in the third inning to open up a 4-0 lead.

The Stags would strike back with two of their own in the fourth and cut the lead to 4-2. They then took the lead in the fifth with a 5-4 score.

However, you can never count out Villanova and Giampolo delivered the game winning two run home run in the bottom of the sixth that also scored Sydney Hayes. Four batters later, Julia DaCosta would blast the Wildcat's third home run of the game scoring Becky Ducar and Rauch, and that would be all Anissa Amarillas would need in the seventh.

Sara Kennedy improved her record to 2-1 pitching two shut out innings allowing just three hits. Amarillas came in to pitch in the seventh and shut the door on the Stags. Rauch got the start on the mound and pitched four innings allowing two runs, just one earned, and struck out eight.

The hitting came from everywhere as eight players had at least one hit in the game. Villanova will look to keep the bats rolling as Saint Joseph's is next on the schedule. Game time is set for 3:00 P.M. tomorrow and the game will be shown live on ESPN+.