PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – The Villanova baseball team defeated the Saint Joseph's Hawks 8-7 in the eleventh inning at Villanova Ballpark on Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats won it after bases loaded bunt single by Doug deMarrais.
The starting pitcher for Villanova was Ryan Toohers, it was his first start of the season and third appearance. Toohers went two innings allowing one hit and one run, earned.
The Hawks got a leadoff single by Hueth to start the game. The runner stole second and then advance to third when the next batter grounded out. McConnon grounded out to shortstop to score Hueth.
In the bottom of the second, the first two Wildcat batters were hit by pitch and then both advanced after a wild pitch. Nick Lorusso walked and the bases were loaded for JP Radvany. Radvany had an eight pitch at bat, that resulted in a walk which tied the game at 1-1. Pat O'Neil ripped a single to centerfield to score Chris Rotondo and give the Wildcats the lead. Another wild pitch advanced the runners and scored Lorusso. A sacrifice fly by deMarrais to centerfield to scored Radvany and gave Villanova a 4-1 lead after one inning of play.
The Wildcats added to their lead in the bottom of the third when JP Radvany sent a ball over the centerfield wall. It was Radvany's second home run of the season.
But the Hawks would answer back.
In the top of the fourth with two outs Cossetti hit a two-run home run to left field. The Hawks then hit back to back doubles to and it was 5-4 Villanova. Then with two outs and the bases loaded, Bendo hit a single to left center to score two runs and the runner on first was thrown out at the plate. The Hawks scored five runs in the inning and led 6-5 after four innings.
The bottom of the fifth, Lorusso led off with a triple to right centerfield. Then with two outs, Timothy Lilly hit it to the third basemen and then beat the throw to first. Lorusso scored the game was tied at 6-6.
In the bottom half of the eighth, Rotondo doubled to left centerfield and then was brought home after an RBI single up the middle by Lorusso to give the Wildcats a 7-6 lead.
The Hawks got a leadoff single to start the top of the ninth and then the next batter grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. The next batter reached base and then advanced to second after a throwing error by the pitcher. A hard hit ball to shortstop was misplayed and ball went into the outfield. Saint Joseph's runner on second made it home to tie the ball game up at 7-7.
Lorusso led the bottom of the eleventh off with a single to third base and then advanced to second after a throwing error by the third baseman. Theron Schilling came in to pinch run. Pat O'Neil singled through the left side to put runners on the corners with one out. Lilly was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Doug deMarrais laid down a bunt to score Schilling and give the Wildcats the win 8-7.
The winning pitcher for Villanova was Zach Lutner and it was his first win of the season.
Jonathan Rosero pitched three innings for the Wildcats, allowing one hit, zero runs, one walk while striking out four batters.
Villanova will return to action this Friday April 12th when the Georgetown Hoyas come to Villanova Ballpark for BIG EAST play. First pitch on Friday is 3:00 p.m.
