Box Score PEORIA, Ariz. – A tough start to opening weekend as the Wildcats fell to Washington State (WSU) in a 7-0 loss at the Peoria Sports Complex.

The Wildcats started out strong with graduate transfer Craig Larsen hitting a double to center field on the second at bat of the game. Villanova couldn't add to the scoring column but got the bats moving going into the bottom of the first.

Graduate transfer Sal Fusco started the first 4 innings of the game with a solid performance. Fusco kept the score even by striking out two in the bottom of the first. He struggled in the second giving up a two run double and throwing a wild pitch that resulted in a run scored. Fusco battled back in the third striking out all three batters to face him keeping the Cougars a 3-0 lead.

Fusco finished up his time on the mound giving up another two run double hit by WSU's second baseman Jacob Harvey. Graduate transfer Stephen Turzai made his Villanova debut out of the bullpen for Fusco, giving up one run but got the Wildcats out of the inning with the Cougars leading 7-0.

The 'Cats began to make a connection with a double from senior captain AJ Hansen in the top of the fifth but weren't able to rally any runs. Turzai had a tough start in the bottom of the fifth hitting multiple batters but was able to come around and end the inning only allowing one run.
The bottom of the sixth showed signs of life for the 'Cats defense with Hansen making two plays in the outfield and graduate transfer Steve Grober making the play at third for a short end to the inning.

The Wildcats made a call to the bullpen in the seventh with two on and one out as freshman pitcher Luke Matta came in for Turzai who tossed 3 innings. Larsen gets the second out of the inning with an infield fly and sophomore Connor Hale makes a great sliding catch to end the inning.

Larsen made the quick throw to first to start the bottom of the eighth followed up by Matta who struck out the next batter for two outs. The Cougar's designated hitter Sam Brown hit a big triple down the right field line putting himself in scoring position, but Hale made the catch on the next play to avoid WSU adding to their score.

The Wildcats try to make one last effort to get a run on the board but were unable to produce one, taking the 7-0 loss to WSU.

The second game of the day between the 'Cats and UC Riverside is set for a 4 p.m. MST, 6 p.m. ET first pitch. Fans can watch live on WSU livestream.