Michael Whooley

Baseball

Villanova Baseball Kicks Off 2026 Season At FIU On Friday

VU Takes On FIU In Three Game Weekend

MIAMI, Fla. — The Villanova University baseball team opens the 2026 season this weekend with a three-game series against FIU at FIU Baseball Stadium in Miami.

This Weekend
  • The Wildcats and Panthers begin the series on Friday, Feb. 14 at 6:00 p.m., continue on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 3:00 p.m., and conclude on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 12:00 p.m.
New Leaders in the Dugout
  • Mike Russo and Dusty Snyder were named to the Villanova coaching staff on Dec. 3, 2025.
  • From 2023–25, Russo helped guide Monmouth's transition into the CAA, contributing to steady program improvement highlighted by a 24-win 2025 season, three All-CAA pitchers, the conference's third-lowest team ERA (5.02), and Power Four victories over Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers.
  • During his tenure at Princeton (2015–22), Russo helped the Tigers capture the 2016 Ivy League championship and NCAA berth while developing 13 All-Ivy honorees (six First Team), the 2016 Ivy League Pitcher of the Year, and eight professional signees, including multiple MLB Draft selections.
  • Snyder arrives at Villanova after assistant coaching stints at Pasco-Hernando State College and the University of South Florida. At Pasco-Hernando, he helped the program capture the 2025 NJCAA Division II National Championship while working primarily with pitchers on a staff that posted a 3.54 ERA. He also contributed to an offense that totaled 193 stolen bases.
  • A former player at USF, Snyder transitioned into coaching following an injury, working with both infielders and outfielders. The Coconut Creek, Florida, native holds a bachelor's degree in criminology/criminal justice from South Florida.
Familiar Wildcats Returning to Miami
  • Villanova previously played at FIU Baseball Stadium during the 2004 season, defeating the Panthers 9–3. The Wildcats have never hosted FIU, with all 16 meetings between the teams taking place on the road.
Wildcats Picked Sixth in BIG EAST Preseason Poll
  • Villanova was selected sixth in the 2026 BIG EAST Preseason Poll, announced Dec. 18, 2025.
  • The Wildcats finished just outside the top five, trailing No. 5 Seton Hall by seven points. UConn was chosen as the preseason favorite after a 17–4 league season and an appearance in the BIG EAST Championship game. The Huskies received five first-place votes and placed three players on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
Scouting FIU
  • FIU is coming off a 31–27 season, including a 13–13 Conference USA record under head coach Rich Witten. Cole Cleveland and Andrew Ildefonso were named to the Preseason All-CUSA Team.
Home Opener
  • Villanova opens its home schedule against Towson on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Aidan Barry

#29 Aidan Barry

OF
6' 2"
Senior
So.
Jack Chavez

#11 Jack Chavez

RHP
6' 1"
Sophomore
Bobby Finn

#16 Bobby Finn

LHP
6' 0"
Senior
Jake Francis

#30 Jake Francis

RHP
6' 0"
Junior
Fr.
John Freitag

#4 John Freitag

OF
5' 11"
Sophomore
Austin Lemon

#24 Austin Lemon

OF
5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Brayden Leonard

#5 Brayden Leonard

INF
5' 9"
Sophomore
JoJo Montgomery

#1 JoJo Montgomery

UTIL
6' 0"
Sophomore
Graham Moore

#43 Graham Moore

RHP
6' 2"
Senior
So.
Collin Quintano

#27 Collin Quintano

UTIL
6' 3"
Senior
So.

Players Mentioned

Aidan Barry

#29 Aidan Barry

6' 2"
Senior
So.
OF
Jack Chavez

#11 Jack Chavez

6' 1"
Sophomore
RHP
Bobby Finn

#16 Bobby Finn

6' 0"
Senior
LHP
Jake Francis

#30 Jake Francis

6' 0"
Junior
Fr.
RHP
John Freitag

#4 John Freitag

5' 11"
Sophomore
OF
Austin Lemon

#24 Austin Lemon

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
OF
Brayden Leonard

#5 Brayden Leonard

5' 9"
Sophomore
INF
JoJo Montgomery

#1 JoJo Montgomery

6' 0"
Sophomore
UTIL
Graham Moore

#43 Graham Moore

6' 2"
Senior
So.
RHP
Collin Quintano

#27 Collin Quintano

6' 3"
Senior
So.
UTIL