PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – Base knocks with runners on came up big for Villanova on Saturday, driving in four runs on singles with three in a big fifth inning alone to secure the series win with a 6-4 victory over Butler at Villanova Ballpark.

After falling behind 3-1 through the fourth, Villanova (11-15-1, 3-2 BIG EAST) a five-spot in the bottom of the fifth to take over with a lead it would never relinquish. The win marks the first conference series win of the season and the first series win against Butler (14-17, 0-2 BIG EAST) since 2016.

Senior catcher Will Reiner drove in three runs on a single and a double in the victory, going 2-for-4 on the day as the only Wildcat to hit for extra bases. He has now had four game this season where he has had at least two RBI.

Graduate left-handed pitcher Tyler Arella had his longest outing of the year, pitching six innings for his second win of the campaign, moving his record to 2-2. He permitted three runs on seven hits in his eighth start this season, fanning four batters for a second straight outing. Graduate reliever Cameron Mathes entered in the eighth for his second save of the year, allowing one run on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.

Villanova jumped onto a lead early as Reiner looped a single to right, sending designated hitter John Whooley racing home from second for a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second.

Butler got that run back and then some in the top of the fourth, starting with a pair of Bulldogs on after two singles. Ryan O'Halloran singled to right, pushing Aaron Steinhart to second and scoring Jones. A passed ball shifted the runners to second and third before Kollyn All grounded out to third, driving in Steinhart to break the tie, 2-1. After Billy Wurch was plunked by a pitch to put men on the corners, he ended up getting caught stealing by Reiner with a tag from shortstop Pat O'Neill, giving O'Halloran enough room to score from third to make it a 3-1 Butler lead through four.

The tide turned toward Villanova in the fifth.

Back-to-back singles from Chris Rotondo and O'Neill were met with another single, this time from Jack O'Reilly through the left side to drive in Rotondo. Butler made a call to the bullpen, bringing in Jon Vore with runners threatening at first and second. Joey Castellanos kept the singles going with a drive to center, bringing O'Neill across to tie it, 3-3. Whooley was a shown a walk, bringing Reiner up with the bases loaded. He doubled to left, sending Castellanos and O'Reilly across to pad the lead at two with AJ Hansen coming up after him. Facing a full-count, he singled through the left side to score Whooley, giving the 'Cats a 6-3 advantage.

Villanova called upon Devin Rivera heading into the top of the seven to end Arella's day. He pitched one inning, allowing a single down the right field line while walking one Bulldog and striking out another. Mathes entered to open the eight, facing the minimum on a pair of ground outs and a foul out.

The 'Cats had a chance to add on a run with Rotondo making his way into scoring position on a single to left and then stealing second. He has swiped 10 bags on 11 attempts this year, moving him to 27-of-33 in his career. That threat was ended on a groundout.

Four scoreless innings came to a close in the ninth for Butler, getting a run back late.

O'Halloran and All sat on first and second after a single and walk, respectively, before a fly out to right from Wurch advanced O'Halloran to third. Another out was added as Mathes kept pinch hitter Robbie McCargar looking, bringing up another pinch hitter for the Bulldogs in Garret Gray. He punched a single through the left side, bringing O'Halloran home and sending All to second, but nothing else came up for Butler.

The final game of the series is set to start at 12 p.m. Sunday with Brandon Siegenthaler starting for Villanova.