BUIES CREEK, NC – Villanova swept Saturday's double header at the Campbell Invitational by downing Maine 7-2 in the morning before coming back to top Campbell 6-2 in the nightcap. Four Villanova pitchers combined to allow just nine hits across 18 innings of work, receiving two quality starts and some shut-down performances from the bullpen.
 
The offense broke out in a big way during the day, with both games now being the top two offensive performances of the season in terms of both hits and runs scored.
 
Saturday was the first time Villanova has won both legs of a double header since March 9, 2013 when the Wildcats beat Iona 5-2 and 3-1.
 
GAME ONE RECAP
 
It was another pitcher's duel in the early going for Villanova, with a combined three hits through four innings.
 
Villanova had a chance to strike first in the bottom of the fourth when Ryan Toohers tripled to the left-center gap to lead off the inning. Villanova couldn't get him in as back-to-back strikeouts and a fly ball stranded him on third.
 
Maine broke the stalemate and scored in the top of the fifth. Kingsbury created a bit of trouble on his own after a leadoff single, HBP and walk eventually loaded the bases with two outs. Maine's Hernen Sardinas delivered a two-run single up the middle to get Maine on the board. With two runners still in scoring position, Kingsbury was able to limit the damage by getting a pop-up to second to strand a pair.
 
Villanova had the quick response in the bottom of the frame scoring in similar fashion. With the bases loaded, Toohers delivered a blooping double down the right field line to plate a pair and tie the game. Lucas Latrenta then put the Wildcats on top with his first career hit, an infield single in the hole that did enough to score the runner on third. Villanova ultimately left the bases loaded, but the damage had been done.
 
Working to tack on a few more in the seventh, Lorusso doubled off the wall in left with one out to start the rally. An RBI single from Toohers quickly brought in pinch-runner AJ Hansen. A single and pass ball set up a two-run single by Dylan McNary. McNary then wreaked havoc on the bases, initially swiping second and ultimately scoring thanks to two throwing errors on the play. By the time the inning was over, Villanova built a five-run lead up 7-2.
 
That was more than enough room for junior Cam Mathes, who earned the three-inning save by retiring all nine batters he faced and struck out four.
 
Jimmy Kingsbury (1-1) earned the win posting a final line of 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.
 
GAME TWO RECAP
 
Each team's offense was ready out of the gate with both sides plating a run in the first. Villanova's came via a leadoff single by Rotondo, a sac bunt from Pat O'Neill, his third already this season, and a RBI single from Latrenta.
 
Campbell took the lead in the bottom of the third on a high pop up that started foul but tailed back fair and resulted in an E5 and a run scoring from second base with two outs.
 
Villanova's bats stayed quiet for most of the middle innings, but finally came back to life in the sixth. With McNary standing on first, Tyler Bruno delivered a two-out double down the right field line to plate McNary and pull the Wildcats back to even at 2-2.
 
One inning later, Pat O'Neill put the 'Cats back on top with a two-out RBI single up the middle to make it 3-2.
 
Campbell had its chance to tie or take the lead in the seventh. Danny Wilkinson picked up two quick outs before issuing a pair of walks and hitting a batter to load the bases. Campbell's Collin Wolf put a charge in one, but it was tracked down in deep left by Sam Margulis to end the inning and preserve the lead.
 
Villanova then added a few insurance runs in the top of the ninth courtesy of a two-run triple to the right field corner from Chris Rotondo and a RBI single by Dylan McNary.
 
The four-run cushion was plenty for Wilkinson to close out the ninth, pick up the three-inning save and help the Wildcats sweep the double header. In his two appearances so far this season, Wilkinson has thrown 7.2 IP allowing only two hits and zero runs while striking out 11.
 
Graceffo earned the win with a line of 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.
 
Villanova returns to action tomorrow morning looking to sweep the weekend when they take on Purdue at 10:00 a.m.
 
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