EASTON, PA – Villanova broke open a one score game going into the ninth inning to win 17-5 in Easton against Lafayette.
 
In a game that looked like it would go down to the last out, ended up being drastically changed in one half inning.
 
Hits were hard to come by for Villanova to start the game, but they still found ways to get on the board. The Wildcats battled at the plate, forcing 14 walks and six hit by pitches. Villanova started the game off strong as they had Lafayette in a bases loaded no outs situation in the top of the first inning. Three walks and a hit by pitch scored four runs.
 
After the teams traded runs, the score after the fourth inning was 5-5.  Not much action occurred until the seventh when an RBI single to right center gave Villanova the game winning run, 6-5.
 
Going into the ninth inning, the Wildcats had six hits in the game and a 6-5 lead.
 
5 hits, two doubles, two triples and a home run sum up what would end up being an 11-run inning for the Wildcats to put their stamp on this midweek matchup, winning 17-5.
 
Nova Notes

• Scott Shaw went 2-4 on the day with three walks and a team high five RBIs.
• Josue Valdez added three RBIs as he batted 1-4 with two walks.
• AJ Hansen and Cam Hassert recorded the first triples of the season for Villanova in the ninth inning. Hansen went 2-3 with two walks, a double, triple and two RBI. Hassert was 1-3 with two walks and two RBI.
• From the fifth inning on four pitchers threw at least an inning (Alec Sachais, Stephen Turzai, Ryan Mintz, Zach Camp).  Those pitchers combined to only allow two hits and no runs.
• Seven Wildcats recorded an RBI on the day. That list includes Scott Shaw (5), Jason Neff (1), Michael Whooley (1), Josue Valdez (3), Cam Hassert (2), Shane Solari (2) and AJ Hansen (1).

 
How It Happened

• Villanova scored four runs in the first inning, three by walks and one hit by pitch.  With Bases loaded, Michael Whooley, Scott Shaw and Jack O'Reilly scored from walks.  Dylan Dennis scored after Michael Whooley was hit by a pitch, 4-0 Villanova.
• In the second inning, an error by the second baseman scored Petrone and Cashman, 4-2.
• Colella singled to left field, scoring Chropuvka, 4-3 in the second.
• In the third Scott Shaw was walked, scoring Cam Hassert, 5-3.
• Petrone stole home in the fourth, 5-4.
• Swidler doubled down the left field line, Mallas scored, 5-5.
• In the seventh, Jason Neff singled to right field, scoring Dylan Dennis, 6-5 Wildcats.
• AJ Hansen scored on a wild pitch in the ninth, 7-5.
• Dylan Dennis scored on a passed ball in the ninth, 8-5.
• A two-RBI double and two-RBI triple from Josue Valdez and Cam Hassert, scored four more runs in the ninth, 12-5.
• Cam Hassert scored on a ground out to the pitcher, 13-5.
• Scott Shaw hit a grand slam in the ninth, 17-5.

 
Up Next
The Wildcats will have a quick turn around as they will be on the road tomorrow to take on Monmouth at 1:00 pm.