PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – The Villanova University baseball team will host NJIT in its first home weekend series of the season this weekend (March 14-16) at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth.
QUICK HITTERS
- Villanova continues a five-game home stand with a series against NJIT.
- The Blue and White is 3-3 all-time against the Highlanders. In the most recent matchup between the two schools in 2020, Villanova defeated NJIT, 5-1, in the team's final game before the season was canceled.
- Right-handed pitcher Jake Francis earned a save and a win in the final two games of Villanova's last series at USF. Francis leads the Wildcats in ERA and WHIP.
- Bobby Olsen leads the team in strikeouts with 27. He went eight full innings against USF, throwing 112 pitches and giving up only two runs in a no-decision.
- Austin Lemon has reached base in 15 straight games to start the season. He leads Villanova in batting average with .352 and boasts an on-base percentage of .493.
- Catcher Jason Neff leads Villanova in both home runs (6), RBI (23) and slugging percentage (.764).
NEFF's NOT STOPPING
Catcher
Jason Neff has been the engine behind the Villanova offense all season, driving in a team-best 23 runs. He also leads the team in runs (19), home runs (6) and slugging percentage (.764) while being tied for the lead in hits (19) and stolen bases (4). Neff ranks in the top 100 nationally in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage. He has six hits and six RBI in the Wildcats' last three games.
YOU KNOW WHOOL TO CALL
Junior third baseman
Michael Whooley is currently on a five-game hitting streak. After leading the Wildcats in walks last season (32), the Wyckoff, New Jersey native has shifted his focus to hitting for power in 2025. He now leads Villanova in doubles (4) and is tied for second on the team with three home runs. Whooley went 2-for-3 with a run scored against Monmouth on Wednesday (March 12).
PHENOMENAL FRANCIS
Jake Francis has continued his strong start to the season. He currently leads the Wildcats with an ERA of 2.81 and a WHIP of 1.06. The right-hander from Westfield, N.J., made two appearances out of the bullpen during Villanova's series at USF, throwing 3.2 combined innings without allowing an earned run. After earning a save and a win in each of the Wildcats' two wins, Francis was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for his efforts.
NJIT AT A GLANCE
NJIT enters this weekend at 7-8, coming off of four straight games against BIG EAST opponents. After taking one of three games at St. John's last weekend, the Highlanders defeated Seton Hall, 9-6, on Tuesday (March 11). At the plate, NJIT is led by Ray Ortiz and Ty Sallie, who have batting averages of .362 and .350, respectively.
Friday's game will begin at 3 p.m. ET, while Saturday's game will start at 1 p.m. and first pitch on Sunday is scheduled for noon. All three games will be streamed live on FloSports.
