BUIES CREEK, NC – A trio of freshman arms pitched well for the Wildcats (3-3), but the Villanova offense was stifled for most of the afternoon as Nova dropped the final game at Campbell 7-1 to the Purdue Boilermakers (6-1).

Freshman Cole Vanderslice made his first career start and looked good, going 4.0 IP allowing just two hits and 1 ER.

Purdue opened up the scoring in the bottom of the second with a solo home run by Ben Nisle that narrowly cleared the left field wall. The solo home run was the first allowed hit of Vanderslice's young career, and the only blemish on an otherwise solid start.

Villanova quickly answered and tied the game in the top of the third with a two-out rally. With two outs, a walk and single set up Pat O'Neill who went the other way through the right side to plate the run from third base.

Villanova had plenty of chances to take the lead, with a runner on second and one out in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the sixth, the Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs, but again could not push a run across.

Purdue broke the tie in the sixth on a two-out E4 that scored a run from second and gave the Boilermakers a 2-1 lead.

Purdue broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth by putting a five-spot on the board.

Brandon Siegenthaler (0-1) was tagged with the loss, but still posted a solid line of 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER and 4 K.

Jack Povey made his collegiate debut, working a scoreless seventh and recording a strikeout during the frame.

Cam Kovachik made his first appearance on the mound in a Villanova jersey, and first overall since March 15, 2018 when he pitched at Duke.

Villanova returns to action next weekend, travelling to Florida for seven games in 10 days. They'll start in Port Charlotte at the Snowbird Classic before moving to Winter Haven for a three-game series with Bucknell.

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