Box Score CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Villanova University baseball team opened its three-game road series at Charleston Southern with a 5–4 victory on Friday, March 13.
  'CATS STRIKE EARLY
Villanova jumped out to an early lead in the opening inning. Sophomore Austin Lemon began the game with a base hit, and senior Michael Whooley was hit by a pitch to give the Wildcats two runners aboard.

With two outs, graduate student Carter Richey delivered a clutch double to left field on a two-strike count, bringing home Lemon and Whooley to give Villanova a quick 2–0 lead.

Junior Jake Francis made the start on the mound for the Wildcats. After allowing a leadoff walk in the first inning, Francis responded by retiring the next three Buccaneers in order to end the frame.

Villanova held the 2–0 advantage through the first two innings.
  BUCS RESPOND
Charleston Southern got its offense going in the bottom of the third inning.

Tyler Wright singled up the middle to drive in the Buccaneers' first run of the game. One batter later, Alex Marot doubled down the left-field line to bring home another run and tie the contest at 2–2.

The Buccaneers would take the lead later in the inning on a sacrifice fly, finishing the frame with three runs to move ahead 3–2.
  'CATS TAKE CONTROL
Villanova answered in the fifth inning with what proved to be the game-deciding rally, plating three runs to reclaim the lead.

Lemon started the scoring with a double to left field that brought home Jack Roventini and Mark Gialluisi.

One batter later, Whooley stepped to the plate and drove a full-count pitch over the left fielder's head for a triple, adding another run and pushing the Wildcats back in front 5–3.

That run ultimately proved to be the insurance Villanova needed.
  PODGORSKI IN RELIEF
Sophomore JP Podgorski delivered a strong performance out of the bullpen in relief of Francis. Podgorski tossed four innings, striking out four batters while allowing just one run on three hits.

In the eighth inning, the Villanova defense came through with a key double play with runners on the corners, preserving the Wildcats' lead.

Podgorski's outing kept Villanova in front heading into the ninth inning. SOME MOORE
Senior Graham Moore was called on to close out the game in the ninth and did just that.

Moore retired the Buccaneers in four batters, sealing the 5–4 victory with a strikeout to earn the save.

Redshirt sophomore Mark Gialluisi also helped secure the win defensively, throwing out a runner at second base for his second caught stealing of the night.
  UP NEXT
Villanova continues its series against Charleston Southern Buccaneers on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
  INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• 1 – Win on the season for Podgorski
• 2 – Runners caught stealing by Gialluisi
• 3 – Pitchers used by Villanova
• 3 – Consecutive wins for the Wildcats
• 32 – At-bats recorded by each team
• 4 – Strikeouts for Podgorski in relief