PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – After leading by as many as seven runs early, Villanova saw Saint John's surge back to the tune of nine runs in the final two innings, falling 14-9 on Wednesday at the Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth.

Villanova (17-22-1) did not face a deficit in the contest until the deciding ninth inning when Saint Joseph's (25-17) plated seven runs to surge ahead. The Wildcats capitalized on a trio of errors from the Hawks to post a seven-run inning of their own in the third, but walks from the Villanova pitching staff in the ninth allowed the Hawks to gain the ground they needed.

The loss marks the second of the season in the cross-town showdown with Saint Joseph's. It is the first time that Villanova has faced two defeats at the hands of the Hawks twice in one season since 2017 when it went 1-2 against them.

Chris Rotondo provided the leading bat for the 'Cats in the loss, going 2-for-3 with a single and a double. He scored twice and was intentionally walked twice, as well. Patrick Montfort and Chic DeGaetano combined for 2 2/3 scoreless innings late in the contest, allowing three hits total. Montfort sat down a team-high four batters in relief.

Rotondo led off the 'Cats with a double to left before moving to third on a passed ball to get into scoring position. Joey Castellanos made his way on base via a hit by pitch, putting runners on the corners for Jack O'Reilly. He grounded into a double play, scoring Rotondo from third to give Villanova a 1-0 lead.

Saint Joseph's answered in the top of the second. Brendan Hueth sent a one-out single to right before shifting to second on a passed ball. With two out, Travis Rinker sent a bloop single up the middle, bringing Hueth around to knot the contest at one. The Hawks looked to add more on with runners on first and second, but a single to center was picked up by Rotondo who launched a throw home to Josue Valdez to get Rinker who tagged up third before attempting to swipe the dish.

In the bottom of the third, Villanova blew the gates open, scoring seven runs on four hits with three errors by the Hawks.

With two on and no one out, Rotondo placed a single to right, bringing Valdez in from second, but an errant throw from the right fielder to third allowed Theron Schilling to score as well. Rotondo took his chance to advance, with another throwing error from the third baseman in toward the catcher, successfully tagging to make it a 4-1 game. Back-to-back one-out singles from Pat O'Neill and Cameron Hassert pushed the lead to five. The 'Cats tacked on two more runs with two outs thanks to a balk that pushed Hassert to third and scoring O'Neill before Hassert made it an 8-1 lead, going home on a wild pitch.

Andrew Cossetti led off the fourth with a single to left and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hueth sent him across on a double to right, cutting the deficit to six. Brett Callahan walked in a Hawk on a bases-loaded walk, sending Devin Rivera in for Cole Vanderslice. Another walk brought in another runner before a groundout ended the frame at 8-4 in favor of Villanova.

A pair of Hawks on the bases saw DeGaetano come in to pitch for Cade Udell with no outs on the board and the 'Cats leading by four. Two runs came across on a pair of sacrifice flies to center, narrowing Villanova's lead to 9-7.

Danny Wilkinson (3-5) entered for Villanova in the top of the ninth, looking to close the door but Saint Joseph's had other thoughts.

A lead-off fly out to center was followed up by the next three Hawks getting on via two walks and a single. Wilkinson struck out Conlan Wall to put the second out on the board with the bases loaded. A four-pitch walk was shown to Nate Thomas, putting Saint Joseph's within one and bringing up Cossetti. Facing a 2-2 count, he was plunked by the pitch, sending him to first and bringing in the tying run with Villanova turning to the bullpen to bring in Marcus LaBuda, still with all the bases accounted for. Hueth singled up the middle to score two, giving the Hawks their first lead of the day, 11-9, before Drapeua added another on an RBI single through the left side. Tim Cavanaugh pushed a base knock to left center to bring in the final two runs.

Villanova embarks on a six-game road stint over the next two weeks, starting with a weekend visit to No. 5 Virginia Tech. First pitch against the Hokies is set for 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday from English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.