Luke McCollough
Tim Cowie/DavidsonPhotos.com
8
Winner Villanova VU 5-4
3
Lipscomb University LIP 3-7
Winner
Villanova VU
5-4
8
Final
3
Lipscomb University LIP
3-7
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Villanova VU 0 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 2 8 9 1
Lipscomb University LIP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 4 0

W: McCollough, Luke (2-0) L: R. Ramos (1-2)

Game Recap: Baseball |

McCollough Spins Seven Scoreless Innings as Villanova Takes Down Lipscomb

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Right-handed pitcher Luke McCollough threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and one walk, as the Villanova University baseball team defeated Lipscomb, 8-3, on Saturday afternoon (March 1) at Ken Dugan Field.
 
At the plate, second baseman Brayden Leonard paced the Wildcats (5-4) with two hits, a home run and three RBI. Additionally, catcher Jason Neff went 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. In his first start of the season, designated hitter Josue Valdez tallied a career-high three hits with two RBI.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first inning, Leonard hit a two-run home run in the top of the second to give Villanova a 2-0 lead. Then, after McCollough continued to hold the Bisons (3-7) scoreless into the top of the fourth, Neff hit a solo home run to increase the advantage to three.
 
With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Valdez delivered a two-out, two-RBI single to put the Blue and White ahead, 5-0. Then, in the seventh inning, Neff scored Tyler Shaw on a sacrifice fly in the top half, while McCollough retired his fifth, sixth and seventh consecutive batters to close his strong outing on the mound.
 
Alec Sachais replaced McCollough in the bottom of the eighth inning. After getting into a bases loaded, no-outs jam, Sachais worked through the inning only allowing three runs home. The Wildcats' lead was cut to 6-3.
 
In the top of the ninth, Villanova responded by loading the bases with its first three batters to the plate. Right fielder Jake McElroy drew a walk, bringing one run home, before Leonard singled to record his third RBI of the game. The sequence expanded the Wildcats' advantage to 8-3.
 
Sachais shut the door in the bottom of the ninth, retiring the Bisons in order with two strikeouts to seal the 8-3 win.
 
McCollough was credited with the win to improve to 2-0 on the year, while Lipscomb's Rigo Ramos registered the loss to move to 1-2.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
  • McCollough's seven scoreless innings move his ERA on the season to a team- and career-best 1.86.
  • Neff now leads the Wildcats in total runs (12), hits (12), home runs (4) and RBI (13).
  • Neff's 13 RBI are more than double the next highest Wildcats' totals: Michael Whooley and Leonard with six.  
 
UP NEXT
Villanova will play a rubber match against Lipscomb on Sunday (March 2) at Ken Dugan Field in Nashville, Tenn. The game will begin at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT) and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
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