PONCE, P.R. – Despite a strong start from right-handed pitcher
Luke McCollough, the Villanova University baseball team lost a close game to No. 2-ranked Virginia, 3-1, on Saturday night (Feb. 15) at Francisco Montaner Stadium in its second game of the Puerto Rico Challenge.
McCollough was dominant through his five innings of work. The right-hander only gave up one run and struck out seven Cavaliers.
After pitching three shutout innings and giving up a leadoff hit in the fourth, McCollough struck out three Cavaliers in a row to keep the game scoreless. Despite the strong performance, the Wildcats were unable to register a hit with him on the mound.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, McCollough surrendered a double to James Nunnallee and an RBI single to Henry Godbout, giving Virginia (1-1) a 1-0 lead.
Villanova (1-1) responded in the top half of the sixth, as two-out RBI single by
Jason Neff drove home
Tyler Shaw. Neff was called out between the bases, limiting VU's inning to one run and tying the game.
The Wildcats went to the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth and yielded two runs on two hits, giving Virginia a 3-1 lead. Freshmen
Brady Schwartzberg and
Wyatt Wolpert each posted their first career strikeout in the inning.
After a scoreless seventh frame for both teams, Villanova threatened to tie the game in the top of the eighth. The 'Cats followed up a base hit by Shaw with a pair of walks, loading the bases with two outs for
Aidan Barry. Barry made solid contact but grounded into a steep infield shift to retire the side.
Freshman
Jack Chavez retired five of six batters he faced and earned his first career strikeout to hold Virginia's lead to two runs going into the ninth.
After a leadoff base hit by
Jake McElroy – his first at Villanova – the Wildcats failed to apply any more pressure, sealing the 3-1 win for the Cavaliers.
Drew Koenen earned the win for Virginia, improving to 1-0 on the year. Matt Lanzendorfer closed the game out to earn a save. Reliever
Graham Moore (0-1) was credited with the loss.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats will take on Michigan (2-0) on Sunday morning (Feb. 16) in the final game of the Puerto Rico Challenge at Francisco Montaner Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET / 11 a.m. AST and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
