OMAHA, Neb. – Villanova preserved in a late back-and-forth game for the 8-6 victory over Creighton in extra innings. This win ends the 24-game losing streak the Wildcats owned to Creighton dating back to 2014.
 
Freshman second baseman Michael Whooley had a standout performance making a key contributes to the Wildcats win. Whooley had three hits and four RBI including the batting in the winning runs in the top of the tenth. In the field he had two putouts and two assists at second. Freshman Jake Bollin had his first career start for the Wildcats as the designated hitter and ignited the Villanova offense with his first career home run in the top of the fifth. Graduate shortstop Craig Larsen also made an impact with some much-needed runs in the top of the eighth when he hit a two RBI single to center field to tie the game up 6-6.
 
Villanova's pitching staff battled against a strong Creighton offense with starting pitcher Devin River tossing 5.0 innings, striking out four, and only allowing three hits and two runs in. The hero of the game on the mound was Sal Fusco who earned the win on the day throwing for 3.2 innings on the rubber facing 15 batters. Fusco had three punch outs and came in clutch in the stressful last few innings situations without allowing a run in.
 
After a scoreless four innings of play, Villanova made the first move on the scoreboard with a huge hit by Bollin who sent the ball over the left field wall for his first career home run. The Wildcats took their first lead of the series 1-0 by the end of the fifth innings.
 
The Bluejays answered back to take the lead from the Wildcats in the bottom of the sixth with a bases loaded two RBI double hit by Sterling Hayes. Tyler Lozano who was moved to third on the previous play, scored on a fielding error by the third baseman to score Lozano for the 3-1 score.
 
In the top of the seventh, with the bases loaded AJ Hansen scored on a pass ball making it a one run game. M. Whooley stepped up to bat and singled through the left side to reclaim the lead to 4-3 on the following play.
 
A big bottom of the seventh for Creighton added three runs on for the Bluejays to steal the lead once again. Lozano singled to center field to score a teammate followed by Jack Grace with the RBI single to right center to bring in another run making it 5-4. Hogan Helligso who was on third after Grace's hit, scored on a wild pitch to make it a 6-4 game.
 
Villanova was not done for the day and made up the deficit in the top of the eighth with the bases loaded Larsen hit a two-RBI single to center field to tie the game up 6-6. Neither team scored in the ninth to force the game into extra innings.
 
To start the top of the tenth, graduate outfielder Paul Cooke was placed on second as a curtesy runner. With one out, senior first baseman Jack O'Reilly was intentionally walked for runners on first and second. Freshman Aidan Barry walked to load the bases up. M. Whooley stepped up to the plate and sent a hard hit ball at the shortstop who couldn't stop the ball scoring both Cooke and O'Reilly to take the two run lead. The Bluejays were unable to answer, and the Wildcats took the final game of the series 8-6.

UP NEXT: The 'Cats return to action back at Plymouth meeting to host Penn on Wednesday April 12 . First pitch is set for 3 pm.