PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – Villanova hosted Seton Hall on Thursday afternoon for game one of their final BIG EAST three-game series at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. A low scoring game led to the Pirates taking a 4-0 win over the Wildcats.
Graduate shortstop
Craig Larsen had a solid outing going with a double against to score a teammate and plate the first run of the game for the 'Cats. Senior catcher in the designated hitter position
John Whooley went 2-for-4 with a double down the left line which got him into scoring position, and he crossed home on a wild pitch. Graduate catcher
Will Reiner put in some impressive work behind the plate catching two would-be base stealers on the day.
Senior right hander
Chic DeGaetano stepped in for three innings of work in relief in the top of the seventh. DeGaetano had two punch outs and only allowed two hits and no runs scored.
The Wildcats plated one in the bottom of the first with
Jack O'Reilly getting on off a single to left field and stealing second to get into scoring position. O'Reilly was scored by Larsen off an RBI double to left center for the first run of the game and the 1-0 lead for the 'Cats.
The Pirates answered back in the top of the third with back-to-back walks followed by a fly out to advance the runners to second and third. Alex Clyde hit a two RBI double and advanced to third on a throwing error by the Villanova left fielder. Clyde scored on a sacrifice fly RBI for the 3-1 Seton Hall advantage.
Seton Hall had another productive top of the fourth plating three more runs off a two out RBI double, an RBI single, and another RBI double for the 6-1 lead.
Villanova got a much-needed run in the bottom of the fifth with
Aidan Barry managing a leadoff walk and
AJ Hansen reaching first on a throwing error by the pitcher and advanced to second on another throwing error by the right fielder. Barry scored on this play for the 6-2 deficit.
The 'Cats plated another run in the bottom of the sixth with J. Whooley crushing a leadoff double down the left field line to get into scoring position and was advanced to third by his brother
Michael Whooley on a ground out. J. Whooley cashed in a run on a wild pitch for Villanova to only trail by three.
Neither team managed to make their way across home for the rest of the ball game with Seton Hall coming out on top yet again in a 6-3 win over the Wildcats.
UP NEXT: The 'Cats return to action on Saturday May 20 for the final regular season game where they will conclude the BIG EAST series versus Seton Hall. Before the game begins the graduating players will be recognized in a pre-game senior day ceremony. First pitch is set for 12 pm.
