ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Villanova University baseball team fell to Winthrop, 17-4, on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 23) in the series finale from Founders Field.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles (4-3) jumped out to a quick lead after Jonathan Hernandez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning off of freshman Jack Chavez, who earned his first career start.
 
In the top of the second, Jake McElroy answered with his first home run as a Wildcat. The two-run shot tied the game at 2-2.
 
After Bobby Finn allowed two runs in the bottom of the second inning, JP Podgorski held the Eagles scoreless in the third.
 
Winthrop broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring 11 runs off of five hits.
 
Right-handed reliever Graham Moore was able to silence the Winthrop lineup in the middle innings, pitching 3.0 shutout innings while only allowing two hits and one walk.
 
Michael Whooley launched a solo home run over the wall in the top of the sixth inning, but the Wildcats' (3-3) deficit would prove to be insurmountable. The Eagles tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the seventh, closing out a 17-3 win.
 
Brayden Gilley (1-1) was credited with the win for Winthrop, while Finn received the loss for Villanova.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
Outfielder Austin Lemon extended his hitting streak to six games with a leadoff single in the first inning. Meanwhile, Whooley's home run was his second in his last two games. Moore's three shutout innings in relief bring his ERA down to 1.80 on the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats will play their home opener on Tuesday (Feb. 25) against Coppin State at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET, and the game will be streamed live on FloSports.