JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Villanova University baseball team picked up a 4-0 victory over North Florida on Wednesday evening at Harmon Stadium. Five Wildcats combined for the shutout as Villanova limited the Ospreys to just three hits while improving to 3-6 on the season.

WILDCATS STRIKE FIRST
Villanova opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. Redshirt sophomore Austin Lemon worked a walk and later came around to score when sophomore John Freitag delivered an RBI single to give the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead.

The early run provided support for the Villanova pitching staff, which kept North Florida off the scoreboard throughout the opening innings.

FIFTH INNING PUSH
The Wildcats added to their lead in the fifth inning with two more runs.

Redshirt sophomore Mark Gialluisi reached base and later scored when sophomore Brayden Leonard delivered an RBI single to extend the Villanova lead to 2-0. Later in the inning, Freitag added his second RBI of the game, bringing Leonard home to make it a 3-0 contest.

PITCHING STAFF DOMINATES
Villanova's pitching staff turned in a strong collective performance to preserve the shutout. Recording the first shutout of the year and only giving up a season low three hits.

Sophomore Jack Chavez started and worked three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three. Sophomore Matthew Kahn followed with three hitless innings out of the bullpen and earned the win.

Sophomore JP Podgorski tossed two scoreless innings before Senior Graham Moore and Junior Jeremiah Hoderl combined to finish off the ninth inning, with Hol recording the final out to secure the save.

INSURANCE IN THE NINTH
Villanova added an extra run in the ninth inning to seal the victory. After putting a runner in scoring position, the Wildcats scored on a wild pitch to push the advantage to 4-0.

OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTORS
Michael Whooley and John Freitag each collected two hits to lead the Wildcats at the plate. Freitag finished with two RBI while Leonard added an RBI of his own as Villanova totaled six hits in the game.

Defensively, the Wildcats committed no errors while their pitching staff held North Florida to just three hits.

UP NEXT
Villanova remains in Florida for a three-game series against Florida A&M beginning Friday.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
6 – Hits for Villanova in the win
3 – Hits allowed by the Wildcats pitching staff
5 – Villanova pitchers used in the shutout
0 – Runs allowed by Villanova pitchers