PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – Villanova and Penn reconnected for the second and final head-to-head game of the season. Penn built upon a dominant early advantage with a grand slam in the top of the sixth to secure a 10-run lead. After eight innings the game was called 15-4 in favor of the Quakers.
Sophomore catcher
Josue Valdez came in late in the game not behind the plate but to appear at first base in the top of the seventh. Valdez had a standout play in the bottom of the seventh with a three RBI dinger to clear the bases and keep the 'Cats from ending the game in that inning due to the 10-run differential rule.
After a scoreless first innings, Penn made the first move with a RBI single through the left side by Ryan Taylor followed by an RBI groundout to the shortstop by Asa Wilson to secure an early 2-0 lead.
With no runs across in the third, the Quakers continued their lead with two more runs when Wilson smashed a triple into center field to score Seth Werchan who was on second. Due to a fielding by the first baseman, Wilson scored on the play to make it a 4-0 game.
In the top of the fifth Wyatt Henseler stepped up to and homered to center field to bring himself and Ben Miller in for the 6-0 advantage. Henseler wasn't done for the day when he came up to bat in the top of the sixth, with the bases loaded he crushed a grand slam to left center to extend the Quakers lead to 10-0. Penn continued their run rampage by tacking another run on in the top of the seventh with Wilson hitting an RBI single to right field to make it an 11-0 game.
In the bottom of the seventh the Wildcats made a stand starting with
Shane Solari who singled through the right side to get on and
Michael Whooley singling to the shortstop to advance Solari to third.
John Whooley came in and hit an RBI single to center field to bring Solari home to bring things back to a 10-run difference. To avoid the run rule coming into play, Valdez demolished a homer to right center to bring in three runs and make it an 11-4 game.
Penn entered the top of the eighth ready to reply and scored four more unanswered runs reclaiming a 10-run differential to end the game in the eighth inning with a final score of 15-4.
UP NEXT: The 'Cats return to action on Friday April 14 when they head to Indianapolis, Ind. for a BIG EAST three-game series at Butler. First pitch is set for 3 pm.
