Box Score PEORIA, Ariz. –The Wildcats fall in second game of the day to UC Riverside (UCR) in a tough 7-2 battle starting their 2023 campaign with a 0-2 record.

The Wildcats began the contest with senior captain Jack O'Reilly singling up the middle and stealing second base. Multiple players were able to make contact even though no runs were produced in the first inning. This was a big difference from the first game of the day against Washington State when the Villanova just couldn't get their bats going.

A strong showing on the defensive end in the first couple from both junior pitcher Devin Rivera and the Nova infield. Rivera put the ball in play with great backup from the graduate transfer trio of Steve Grober (3b), Craig Larsen (ss) and Luke Mutz (2b) as well as O'Reilly at first. Rivera notably picked off the last out of the first inning from the mound.

A scoreless inning and a half for both teams with UCR taking the lead in the bottom of the third. The Wildcats ended the inning with a rundown catching a runner attempting to steal third.

Villanova answered back in the top of fourth with a two-run homerun from Mutz to take the first lead of the game for the Wildcats. Unfortunately, the lead was short lived as the Highlanders went on a dominant six run scoring spree capitalizing on multiple Villanova fielding errors.

The Wildcats were able to regain some momentum in the field during the fifth inning with a nice 4-6-3 double play to get the two out advantage. The magic of the Mutz home run fizzled out in the top of the sixth as Villanova struggled to get their bats going.

Moving into the bottom of the sixth the Wildcats call on junior Cade Udell to take over for Rivera after a five-inning stint on the mound. Udell made quick work of his opponents only tossing 11 pitches before sending the Wildcats back to the plate.

A long and scoreless seventh inning forces both teams pitching staffs to make changes. Udell is replaced by graduate transfer Cabot Maher to start the bottom of the eighth. Maher with fresh energy struck out two and sent the 'Cats into the nineth inning with their last opportunity to come back.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats just fell short despite getting the bats moving in the last inning.

The 'Cats return tomorrow Saturday Feb. 18 is set for a 4 p.m. MST, 6 p.m. ET first pitch. Fans can watch live on WSU livestream.