TAMPA, Fla. – The Villanova University baseball team will cap off a three-game road trip at USF this weekend (March 7-9) at the USF Baseball Stadium. All three games will be streamed live on ESPN+
QUICK HITTERS
- Villanova will cap off its seven-game road trip with a weekend series at South Florida in Tampa.
- The Wildcats are 8-13 against former BIG EAST foe USF. In the programs' last matchup in 2017 -- and only non-conference game between the schools since 1985 -- USF defeated Villanova, 8-1.
- Right-handed pitcher Luke McCollough currently leads the Wildcats in ERA with 1.86, and in innings pitched with 19.1.
- Bobby Olsen has had seven-or-more strikeouts three straight starts, the first Villanova player to do so since current St. Louis Cardinal Gordon Graceffo in 2021.
- Austin Lemon has reached base in 11 straight games to start the season. He leads Villanova in batting average with .378 and boasts an on-base percentage of .531.
- Catcher Jason Neff leads the team with 17 RBI, more than double the next highest VU total (Leonard, 7).
NEVER E-NEFF
Catcher
Jason Neff continued to be the driving force behind the Villanova offense in last weekend's series at Lipscomb, delivering a home run in each of the Wildcats' two wins. On Sunday, he hit a go-ahead grand slam to propel Villanova to a series-clinching win. He has now driven in a team-best 17 runs on the season, which accounts for nearly 30 percent (17-of-58) of Villanova's total RBI. He also shined on defense last weekend, catching two runners stealing on the basepaths.
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS
Redshirt freshman
Austin Lemon has provided an instant spark at the top of the Wildcats' lineup. The Oklahoma State transfer has reached base in all 11 games this season, recording a hit in all but one. He currently leads the Wildcats with a .371 batting average and a .531 on-base percentage. Meanwhile, he's gone down on strikes just four times this season, the least out of any Villanova starter.
FANTASTIC FRANCIS
Right-handed pitcher
Jake Francis has emerged as a viable third starter for the Blue and White early in his second season. The Westfield, N.J., native has posted a strong 3.65 ERA through five appearances and two starts, and currently leads the team with a .89 WHIP. Through 12.1 innings, he has yet to yield a walk this season. Francis shined against Coppin State, picking up his first win of 2025 after tossing five innings of one-run ball with only three hits allowed.
SOUTH FLORIDA AT A GLANCE
South Florida enters the weekend at 6-5 after its midweek game with Florida Golf Coast was postponed. At the plate, the Bulls are led by Sebastian Greico, who has five home runs and 16 RBI. On the mound, Corey Braun has been dominant with a 3.12 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
Friday's game will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, while Saturday and Sunday's games will start at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. All games will be streamed live on ESPN+ and live statistics will be provided via StatBroadcast.
