Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Villanova University baseball team earned an 11-5 extra-inning victory over Lipscomb University on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Ken Dugan Field.
'CATS STRIKE FIRST
For the second straight series, Villanova wasted no time getting on the board. Senior
Collin Quintano continued his torrid start to the season, ripping a double in the first inning to plate the game's first run and give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
Lipscomb answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning to even the score, then added single runs in the second and fourth to take a 3-1 advantage.
SOLID START FOR FRANCIS
Junior
Jake Francis turned in another steady outing on the mound. The right-hander went 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on just 68 pitches before giving way to sophomore
JP Podgorski. Francis kept Villanova within striking distance and limited further damage after the early Bison surge.
ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE SEVENTH
The seventh inning has been a spark for the Wildcats early this season, and Friday was no different.
After plating four runs in the seventh on Opening Day against Florida International University, Villanova erupted for four more in the seventh against the Bison.
Senior
Michael Whooley jump-started the rally with a two-run home run to left-center, tying the game at 4-4. Sophomore
Brayden Leonard followed with an RBI to give the 'Cats the lead, and Quintano delivered again with a clutch single to left, pushing Villanova ahead 5-3 heading into the bottom half of the inning.
BISON RESPOND
Lipscomb needed just one swing to answer. In the eighth inning, Kenealey launched a two-run homer to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings.
FIREWORKS IN THE TENTH
Extra innings were all Villanova.
The Wildcats exploded for six runs in the 10th to break the game open.
Austin Lemon showed patience at the plate and drew a bases-loaded walk to give Villanova a 6-5 lead. Leonard added to his strong night with a two-run single, extending the margin.
Quintano then delivered the decisive blow — a three-run home run that provided plenty of insurance and capped the six-run frame. The senior has opened the season red-hot, tallying three home runs and eight RBI in the first four games, including homers in three straight contests.
Bobby Finn closed it out in dominant fashion, retiring the Bison in order in the bottom of the 10th. He struck out three batters and earned his first win of the season.
UP NEXT
Villanova returns to Ken Dugan Field on Saturday for game two of the series against Lipscomb. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the game streaming live on ESPN+.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- 3 – Straight games with a home run for Collin Quintano
- 4 – Runs scored in the seventh inning
- 6 – Runs scored in the 10th inning
- 11 – Hits for Villanova
- 9 – Walks drawn by Wildcat hitters
- 7 – Two-out RBI
- 0 – Errors committed
