Villanova, Pa. – After 13 games on the road to begin the year, the Villanova Wildcats host their home opener Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. against NJIT at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth Meeting.
 
The Wildcats return home in good position, holding an 8-5 record and coming off a weekend sweep of Bucknell. They'll look to extend the win-streak to four games against the Highlanders.
 
Villanova and NJIT have met three times during the brief series history. They first met in 2007, a 16-2 Villanova win. The two other meetings came during a double-header on March 25, 2018. NJIT swept the double-header with 3-2 and 1-0 wins.
 
The Highlanders are 6-9 on the season and feature a high-powered offense, averaging seven runs/game. NJIT has four times scored 13+ runs including a 23-run outburst against Bucknell. However, after starting the year hot, they have cooled off and been held to two or less runs in the last five games, including being shutout twice and are on a five-game losing streak.
 
The Highlander offense is led by Julio Marcano, batting .322 with 13 RBI and an .892 slugging. The pitching staff is led by Parker O'Neil with a 2.86 ERA and a 2-1 record.
 
Villanova's hot streak has largely been led by the pitching. Villanova ranks 30^th in the country in hits allowed per nine at 6.79 and 41^st in team ERA at 2.92. The staff has been led by Gordon Graceffo, who is tied for the national lead with four victories already. Of the 21 pitchers with four wins, only 13, Graceffo included, have done it on only four appearances.
 
The offense has been led by Chris Rotondo batting lead-off. The junior has an OBP of .500 thanks to hitting .318 and being 21^st in the nation in total walks with 15 already (16^th in BB/game at 1.15). Batting behind him is Pat O'Neill, who is tied for the national lead in sac bunts with five.
 
Tuesday begins a four-game home stand, with the Wildcats hosting Coppin State for a three game set over the weekend.