RADFORD, Va. – Gordon Graceffo (Cranford, N.J.) was dominant through seven innings of work, but some late runs from Radford (3-2) proved to be the difference as Villanova (0-1) fell by a score of 5-3 in the season opener.
 
Graceffo finished with a final line of 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, but pitched even better than his line indicates. The junior gave up an early run in the first before battling through four shutout innings and stranding four Highlanders on the bases.
 
The Villanova offense wasted no time in the first inning plating two runs on three hits. After an eight-pitch leadoff walk from Chris Rotondo (Redding, Conn.) followed by a Nick Lorusso (Monroe, Conn.) single, Jack O'Reilly (Villanova, Pa.) ripped an RBI single to right field giving the Wildcats an early run. Villanova remained aggressive as Nick Oar (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) sent the next pitch down the left field line for an RBI double.
 
Radford was able to get one run back in the bottom of the first, but Villanova countered that when senior Pat O'Neill (Eagleville, Pa.) tripled to open up the inning. Will Reiner (Madison, Conn.) drove a pitch to deep left field and plated O'Neill to extend the Wildcats lead back to two.
 
Both starting pitchers gave up their share of baserunners throughout their performance but remained poised and dominant working out of situations. In the bottom of the eighth, the Highlanders strung together three hits and capitalized on a Wildcats error to regain the lead and close the door.
 
Despite the loss, the opener was full of positives for the Wildcats. After being named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team this week, Gordon Graceffo was stellar in his first start. The Villanova offensive production was distributed as six Wildcats recorded a hit and three Wildcats tallied an RBI.
 
Villanova will return to action tomorrow at 12:00 ET for game two of the weekend series.
 
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