SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – San Francisco took an early four run lead and continued to build off their momentum to defeat the Wildcats 9-3 in a rainy day at Benedetti Diamond.
Freshman infielder
Collin Quintano had a beautiful homer in the top of the fourth down the left field line for the 'Cats last run of the game.
Graduate transfer
Cabot Maher came in for starter,
Devin Rivera, in the bottom of the fifth striking out one in the inning and not allowing any hits or runs to be scored.
After a scoreless first innings, the Dons had a successful four run outing in the bottom of the second. Beginning with a walk followed by a single to left center and both runners taking an extra base on the play, the Dons had two runners in scoring position. Another walk and the bases were loaded with Harris Williams III stepping up to the plate. He crushed a grand slam down the right field line taking a swift 4-0 lead over the Wildcats.
Villanova answered back in the top of the third.
AJ Hansen got on base on a fielder's choice play and
Cameron Hassert followed with a walk.
Craig Larsen grounded out to the shortstop but moved both runners into scoring position. Due to an error made by the Dons third baseman,
Jack O'Reilly reached first and both Hansen and Hassert scored on the play. The 'Cats trailed the Dons 4-2 at the end of the top of the third.
San Francisco earned a run in the bottom of the third after Christian Stapleton hit a double to left center and Mario DeMera singled to left field with Stapleton scoring on the play. The Dons extended their lead 5-2 by the end of the inning.
With two outs in the top of the fourth Quintano smashed a homer down the left field line to get things back to a two-run game. San Francisco scored due to an early triple by Tyler Martinez who scored on a wild pitch thrown by Rivera putting the Dons ahead 6-3.
The Dons scored again in the bottom of the fifth with DeMera clipping a double, stealing third, and scoring on a sacrifice fly hit by Rogers resulting in a 7-3 lead.
Maher held the Dons off in the bottom of the sixth, but they earned another run in the bottom of the seventh with
Luke Dziados taking the hill. With the bases loaded, TJ Rogers scored on a wild pitch for an 8-3 deficit.
Luke Matta relieved Dziados to start the bottom of the eighth with the Dons extending their lead once more for the 9-3 win. Williams III scored on a sacrifice fly after singling to get on first, getting to second on a wild pitch, and stealing third to get into scoring position.
San Francisco's pitching staff had a strong performance on the day with much credit going to Jesse Barron who earned the win only giving up the three early runs in the game and holding the 'Cats scoreless for five innings.
UP NEXT: The 'Cats return tomorrow for the final game of the series against San Francisco on Sunday March 5. First pitch is set for 12 pm PST/3pm EST.
