PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — The Villanova baseball team returns to Villanova Ballpark on Tuesday, March 31, for a 3:35 p.m. matchup against Lafayette in the opening round of the Liberty Bell Classic.
  THIS WEEK

• Tuesday, March 31 vs. Lafayette — 3:35 p.m.

  LAST TIME OUT
Villanova returns home following a three-game series at UT Arlington this past weekend.

• The Wildcats dropped the opener, 9-3, on Friday. UT Arlington built a four-run lead through five innings, highlighted by a two-run home run.
• Villanova cut into the deficit in the sixth inning, as newcomers Mark Gialluisi and Jack Roventini each drove in a run.
• The Mavericks pulled away late, scoring five runs across the seventh and eighth innings to secure the win.
• On Saturday, UT Arlington struck first with a run in the second inning.
• Villanova responded in the fourth, taking its first lead of the series as Gialluisi and Roventini again delivered with RBI hits to make it 2-1.
• The Mavericks answered in the fifth with a bases-clearing triple, reclaiming the lead for good en route to an 11-3 victory to clinch the series.
• Sunday's finale was a pitchers' duel, featuring just three combined runs and five hits.
• UT Arlington carried a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning. Villanova threatened by loading the bases with one out, but was unable to capitalize as the final two batters were retired, sealing the sweep.

  VILLANOVA AS OF LATE

• Collin Quintano leads the team with six home runs and 20 RBI. The senior recorded five hits last week, including a three-hit performance on Saturday.
• Graduate student Will Parkinson turned in a strong outing on Sunday, striking out eight batters over just more than four innings while allowing only two hits and one run.
• Michael Whooley and Brayden Leonard are tied for the team lead with 27 hits apiece.

  SERIES HISTORY

• Villanova holds a 32-21 all-time advantage over Lafayette, including a 19-8 record at Villanova Ballpark.
• The Wildcats won the most recent meeting, defeating the Leopards 17-5 on April 16, 2024.

  SCOUTING LAFAYETTE
Lafayette enters Tuesday's contest with a 5-17 record, including a 5-14 mark on the road.

• The Leopards opened the season with six straight losses against Miami and William & Mary before earning their first win against NC State.
• Additional losses have come against Bucknell, Army, and Monmouth.
• Lafayette enters the matchup on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Holy Cross.
• In their most recent game, the Leopards posted a season-high 13 runs.
• Matt Colella leads the team offensively with a .308 batting average and is tied for the team lead with 15 RBI.

  UP NEXT
Villanova remains at home to open BIG EAST play with a three-game series against Butler beginning Thursday, April 2, at 3:05 p.m.