PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – Villanova took on Seton Hall on Saturday afternoon for their final game of the 2023 regular season Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. Before first pitch, 16 graduating players were recognized in a senior day ceremony. A close game with the 'Cats trailing by no more than two runs during the competition ended up with the Pirates stealing the 6-5 win after a hard-fought battle. Seton Hall swept the weekend to secure a spot as the No. 3 seed in the BIG EAST tournament.
 
Senior centerfielder AJ Hansen had a day at the plate going 3-for-5 with two monster back-to-back lead off homers to begin the game in the bottom of the first and in bottom of the third. Graduate catcher Will Reiner put in some impressive work on both sides of the plate hitting an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh and catching one would-be base stealers on the day. Graduate shortstop Craig Larsen had a solid outing going 3-for-5 as well on the day batting in a run off an RBI single late in the bottom of the eighth to get the 'Cats within one run. Senior Jack O'Reilly did some damage going 1-for-3 and plating two runs on the day.
 
Senior right hander Cole Vanderslice had his best start of the season tossing for five innings, getting one punchout and not allowing a single earned run in during his time on the hill. Graduate pitchers Stephen Turzai, Sal Fusco, and Zach Camp all came to relieve with Camp closing the game out. The latter only allowed a combine one earned run in while striking out four over the last four innings.
 
The Pirates got things started in the top of the first with Staus Pokrovsky crusing a three-run homer over the left center wall for the 3-0 lead. Villanova answered back in the bottom of the inning with Hansen hitting an leadoff dinger the same spot to trail by two. Steve Grober tacked on another Wildcat run off a sacrifice fly RBI to bring O'Reilly home from third for the 3-2 score.
 
Nothing across in the second or top of the third. In the bottom of the third Hansen lead off once again and demolished another homer to left center to tie things up 3-3.
 
It wasn't until the top of the sixth that either team made a move for the lead with Seton Hall taking advantage of a long ball into right field to score on the sacrifice fly for the 4-3 result. The Pirates extended their lead in the top of the seventh with Alex Clyde scoring Oscar Murray on a single through the right side for the 5-3 advantage.
 
The Wildcats fought back in the bottom of the seventh with Reiner singling to right field and advancing to second on a throwing error by the shortstop. O'Reilly scored on this play to bring things back to a one run game.
 
In the top of the eighth Seton Hall managed an insurance run taking advantage of a fielding error on the third baseman to touch home for the 6-4 lead. Villanova cut the deficit in the bottom of the inning with Larsen scoring Hansen on an RBI single to left field.
 
The 'Cats had a quick top of the ninth turning a double play to get out unscathed only trailing by one run. Villanova was unable to get a productive bottom of the ninth and ultimately fell to the Pirates in a 6-5 defeat.
 
"There was a lot of good things mixed in this year. I liked how we battled, I liked how we were resilient. A lot of guys, new guys, new faces, we got comfortable together," said head coach Kevin Mulvey. "Looking forward to the future with some of the young guys and the returners and looking forward to following them over the summer, watching their summer ball games and looking forward to, the incoming freshman and transfers that we have coming in next year as well. I'm excited about the future."

UP NEXT: The 'Cats conclude their 2023 regular season and will return in the fall of the 2023-2024 academic year for some autumn off-season baseball.


Player Quotes
"I feel blessed to be able to come out every day with a group of guys like this. It hard for the end of the season finish in such a tough way like this. I'm just grateful for every day and going to continue to trudge on." #1 AJ Hansen (Center Field)

"It was nice to come out there today and I felt like I had my stuff. The guys worked well behind me. It's bittersweet. Obviously it didn't end the way we wanted to but it was a great four years. I'm glad we ended on a strong note and a bunch of guys had had good performances in the field. So all in all, it's a good day, but unfortunately we couldn't come out on top." #5 Cole Vanderslice (Pitcher)