MERION STATION, Pa. – Villanova head to the city for a Big 5 midweek match at Saint Joseph's on Wednesday afternoon. The Hawks had a dominant beginning half of the ballgame racking up the runs. When the 'Cats defense began to shut down the Saint Joseph's offense the Hawks had a substantial 13-2 lead. Villanova had a late comeback but fell short ending the game with a 13-6 loss.
 
Senior center fielder AJ Hansen had a strong day at the plate going 1-for-1 with three RBI, five walks, and a home run in the top of the eighth. Senior first baseman Jack O'Reilly had an RBI double in the top of the fourth. Graduate two-way player Cabot Maher made his first appearance of the year at the plate going 2-for-3 with a big double in the top of the seventh. On the mound he tossed for one inning and struck out one.
 
The Wildcats kick things off in the top of the first with the Hansen taking home on a double steal for the 1-0 lead. The Hawks fire back in the bottom of the inning scoring off an RBI single, a sacrifice fly and a solo homer to take the 3-1 advantage over Villanova.
 
The 'Cats managed to load up the bases in the top of the second but could not rally any runs. In the bottom of the innings Saint Joseph's tack on three runs starting with a Ryan Picollo leadoff homer to deep left center field. Brett Callahan hit a standup triple and scored on a wild pitch. Ryan Cesarani hit a two RBI home run out to right center for the 7-1 result.
 
The Hawks tack on another two runs off a Callahan two RBI double for the 9-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
 
Villanova chipped away at the Hawks lead in the top of the fourth with O'Reilly blasting an RBI double over to left center field to bring in Hansen from first.
 
Saint Joseph's relentless offense continued to attack Villanova on the scoreboard plating four more runs in the bottom of the fifth off fielder's choice RBI and a throwing error to score two on the same play. Ryan Weingartner hit a sacrifice fly RBI followed by an RBI single by Colin Meyers for the 13-2 score.
 
After a scoreless sixth innings the 'Cats have late comeback attempt starting the run in the top of the seventh. With one down, Steve Grober walked followed by Maher crushing a double down the right to shift Grober to third. Aidan Barry hit an RBI ground out to score Grober and Maher was scored by a Shane Solari RBI single to trim the Hawks lead to 13-4.
 
The 'Cats continued their comeback efforts with a Hansen solo homer in the top of the eighth. Michael Whooley followed in the top of the ninth with an RBI single to bring in Barry for the 13-6 result. The 'Cats came up short and lost 13-6 to the Hawks.

UP NEXT: The 'Cats return to action on Friday May 5 for a BIG EAST three-game series at St. John's. First pitch is set for 6 pm.