NEWARK, N.J.— In a tied game in the bottom of the seventh inning against Hofstra (1-1), Villanova (1-6) rallied baserunners and set Ally Jones (Brielle, N.J.) up for a walk off moment. On a full count pitch, Jones ripped a single into right center scoring Sara Kennedy (Newtown, Conn.) to give the Wildcats their first victory on the young season. The game was the second on the day for the Wildcats after dropping the first game to Hofstra 15-4.
 
Paige Rauch (Windsor, N.Y.) was stellar in the circle for Villanova as the senior tossed a complete game while striking out 12. Rauch surrendered six hits throughout the contest while only giving up three earned runs.
 
The scoring was held to a minimum for both teams in game two. Hofstra opened up the top of the first capitalizing on a Wildcats error and plating a run. In the bottom of the frame, Paige Rauch helped herself out by scorching an 0-2 pitch out for her second homerun of the day.
 
In the top of the second inning, Rauch made quick work of the Pride batters by striking out the side on ten pitches. Villanova used that momentum in the bottom of the inning and got two runners on but could not bring them around.
 
The scoring erupted in the fourth inning when both teams put crooked numbers in the score column. Hofstra capitalized on a single and a double before Meghan Giordano hit a two-run homerun to give the Pride a three-run lead. The Wildcats were quick to return the favor when Ryan Henry (Ramsey, N.J.) launched a homerun to left center. On the very next pitch, Victoria Sebastian (Ridgewood, N.J.) ripped her first career homerun to bring the Wildcats to within one.
 
After Rauch made quick work of the Pride lineup in the top of the fifth inning, the Wildcats came into the dugout seeking a run. With one out, senior Julia DaCosta (North Attleboro, Mass.) stepped up and the veteran smacked a solo homerun to left center to even the score.
 
The fireworks happened in the bottom of the seventh as Villanova capitalized on a Hofstra error. Megan Kern (Royersford, Pa.) reached on a fielding error and Julia DaCosta worked a walk. Ally Jones smoked a single into right center giving the Wildcats the walk off win.
 
Villanova was led offensively by Paige Rauch, Ally Jones, and Julia DaCosta each picking up multiple hits. The Wildcats displayed their power hitting four homeruns in game two.
 
The Wildcats will return to action on Thursday, March 11 as they travel to George Washington for an afternoon doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 ET.