Villanova, Pa. - Villanova baseball opens the 2020 season in the desert with a road trip to No. 3 Arizona State. Escaping the projected temperatures in the 20s throughout the weekend at home, it's looking like perfect baseball weather in Phoenix, with highs in the low 70s and sunshine for all three games. The three-game series is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 pm ET, Saturday at 2:00 ET, and Sunday at 2:30 ET.
 
Villanova will be tested right out of the gates by a team picked by most to finish their season in Omaha. ASU features three preseason All-American picks and is ranked as high as No. 3 by Baseball America.
 
Throughout the lengthy histories of both programs, Villanova and Arizona State have never met on the baseball field.
 
Arizona State represents the highest ranked opponent the Wildcats have faced since beginning the 2009 season at No. 1 LSU, who went on to win the College World Series that season. Additionally, ASU is just the second PAC-12 school the Wildcats have faced in program history – the other being USC in 2018.
 
Villanova is 74-65 in known season openers. The Wildcats are 1-2 in season openers under fourth-year head coach Kevin Mulvey.
 
There is a lot of confidence and optimism about the 2020 squad. After going 13-38 a season ago, Villanova returns 20 letter-winners, including eight position players that made 30 or more starts last season. Additionally, the pitching staff returns the top two starters from a year ago.
 
By the numbers, there is a lot of returning production. Seventy-seven percent of pitching wins return, as does 68 percent of innings and 67 percent of strikeouts. Offensively, the returning numbers are even higher. The Wildcats bring back 80 percent of hits from last season, as well as 79 percent of runs scored and 71 percent of RBIs.
 
Villanova will likely hand the ball to junior Jimmy Kingsbury on opening night. The junior led Villanova in wins (5) and ERA (4.13) a season ago. He also displayed dominant stuff in a complete-game one-hit shutout.
 
Saturday afternoon should see another returning starter on the hill with preseason All-BIG EAST selection Gordon Graceffo getting the nod. Graceffo was solid as a freshman and notched three wins and an ERA of 4.88.
 
Freshman Brandon Siegenthaler will likely take the hill on Sunday to wrap up the series. The Montvale, NJ native went 9-0 with a 0.37 ERA as a senior in high school.
 
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