VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova and Wagner went head-to-head in a midweek matchup at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth on Tuesday afternoon in a close competition. The Wildcats took a late lead and held on to take the 5-4 victory over the Seahawks.
 
Graduate utility Peter Giombetti started in the designated hitter position and had a strong day going 2-for-3 and plated two runs for the 'Cats. Graduate third baseman Steve Grober had a day with two RBI to get Villanova's first two runs on the scoreboard. Senior first baseman Jack O'Reilly hit a leadoff homer to mark his eighth on the year in the bottom of the seventh.  Graduate shortstop Craig Larsen went 2-for-4 and scored one run on the day. Gradate catcher Will Reiner started behind the plate for the 'Cats and caught two would be base stealers, one in the top of the fourth and another in the top of the sixth.
 
Graduate pitcher Sal Fusco came in to relieve starter Stephen Turzai on the mound during the top of the sixth and tossed for 2.1 innings striking out four and only allowing in two runs while earning the win on the day. Graduate pitcher Zach Camp closed out the game for the 'Cats pitching for the last 1.1 innings and had a punchout with a strong Villanova defense behind him to conclude the competition.
 
Villanova started things up in the bottom of the second after a scoreless first innings with Grober sending a double into left field to bring Giombetti home for the first run of the game. Wagner countered with a solo home run in the top of the third hit by Chris Conniff to tie things up 1-1.
 
Neither team rallied any runs in the fourth or fifth innings while managing to get runners into scoring position.
 
The Seahawks took the lead in the top of the sixth with DiMaggio Cazares hitting a sacrifice fly RBI to plate a run making it a 2-1 game. Villanova answered in the bottom of the innings with Grober smashing a ball up the right field line which bounced off first base and into the outfield for the equalizer. Reiner followed to reclaim the lead with a sacrifice fly RBI for the 3-2 advantage.
 
The Wildcats kept Wagner off the scoreboard in the top of the seventh with a Fusco fanning two to enter the bottom of the inning. O'Reilly demolished a leadoff homer over the left field wall to extend the 'Cats lead 4-2. Larsen followed by singling to center field and taking second and third on a throwing error made by the Seahawks center fielder. Michael Whooley hit Larsen home on a sacrifice fly RBI for the 5-2 result.
 
Despite being down Wagner was not out and trimmed the Wildcats lead to one in the top of the eighth off a big two RBI double hit by Dante Faicchio. Villanova held their one run lead over the Seahawks down to the final out in the top of the ninth to claim the 5-4 win on the day.
 
Head coach Kevin Mulvey only had one comment to add after the win, "we're onto UConn", and it says it all.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Cats return to action on Friday, April 28 for a BIG EAST three-game series versus UConn at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. First pitch is set for 3 pm.
 
 
Player Quotes
"From the team perspective, it was a great team win and our pitching was great. We played great defense. Some timely hitting and it felt good to have the home run. I was in a little bit of a slump. So good to come out of that with a home run. Overall good team win." #36 Jack O'Reilly (First Baseman)
 
"I was feeling pretty good. We got some key hits at key times, put up some runs and had some great defensive plays out there in the field. It's just a great team win today." #47 Sal Fusco (Pitcher)
 
"Great team win today. Let's take it in this weekend and take care of business against UConn." #25 Peter Giombetti (Utility)