VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova will kick off their 2024 season with a trip to San Antonio, Texas for a three-game series against Incarnate Word. The weekend will begin with identical start times Friday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CT (3:00 p.m. EST) followed by a 1:00 p.m. CT (2:00 p.m. EST) start on Sunday.
Projected Starters:
Friday, February 16 | 2:00 p.m. CT | 3:00 p.m. EST
Villanova:
Devin Rivera
UIW: TBD
Saturday, February 17 | 2:00 p.m. CT | 3:00 p.m. EST
Villanova:
Luke McCollough
UIW: TBD
Sunday, February 18 | 1:00 p.m. CT | 2:00 p.m. EST
Villanova:
Cade Udell
UIW: TBD
Rematch in the Making: This matchup between these schools has only happened once before. On February 21, 2015, the Cardinals beat the Wildcats 7-3.
2023 Rewind: Villanova was selected eighth in the BIG EAST preseason coaches' poll after a 14-37 (7-13 BIG EAST) record in 2023. The Wildcats finished seventh in the BIG EAST last season.
Welcome Back: Villanova welcomes back 21 members of last season's team. The 'Cats are led by key returners and captains
AJ Hansen and
Jack O'Reilly. Hansen is coming off a strong season batting .243/.373/.410 which resulted in career season highs in hits (42), doubles (7) and home runs (6). O'Reilly also had a career year in 2023 where he batted .303/.409/.503 which were all his best since joining the Wildcats. On the mound, reliever
Zach Camp returns after ranking 2nd in the conference and 8th in the nation in relief appearances (28).
New 'Cats on the Block: Villanova welcomes in 14 new members which includes seven transfers and seven freshman. The new transfers come to Villanova from schools like Richmond, Loyola Marymount, Valparaiso, Rider, Endicott and Utah Valley.
Diving into the Cardinals
- UIW finished second in the Southland Conference with a 28-26 (14-10 SLC) record.
- The second-place finish for the Cardinals in the SLC was the best they have ever finished in program history.
- Four Cardinals players were named to Pre-Season All-Conference teams. Cameron Crotte, Grant Randall, Rey Mendoza and Isaiah Zavala.
- Rey Mondoza was named SLC Newcomer of the Year following his 2023 season.
