PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — The Villanova University baseball team will host its home opener on Tuesday, March 10, welcoming La Salle for a midweek matchup at Villanova Ballpark.
  THIS WEEK
• La Salle – Tuesday, March 10 | 3:35 p.m.
  LAST TIME OUT
Villanova is coming off a busy week, playing four games to conclude its spring break trip in Florida. The Wildcats faced North Florida in a midweek matchup before traveling to Florida A&M for a three-game weekend series, finishing the trip with a 2-2 record.

• The week began with a strong 4-0 shutout victory over North Florida, as five Villanova pitchers combined to blank the Ospreys. Sophomore John Freitag drove in two runs to lead the Wildcats offensively.
• On Friday, Villanova dropped the series opener at Moore-Kittles Field against Florida A&M. The Rattlers built a 3-0 lead through three innings and held on for a 4-1 win. Mark Gialluisi recorded Villanova's lone RBI in the contest.
• In Saturday's matchup, Villanova jumped out to an early 5-1 lead behind RBI from JoJo Montgomery, Mark Gialluisi, and Carter Richey. Florida A&M responded by chipping away at the lead before taking a 6-5 advantage in the sixth inning, which held as the final score.
• In the series finale, the Wildcats bounced back with a 4-1 victory to close the trip. Freshman Jack Roventini delivered a career-high three RBI, while junior Jeremiah Holder tossed two shutout innings, striking out three and allowing just one hit.
  NEWCOMERS MAKING NOISE
Several new faces made an immediate impact during the four-game week.

• Transfer Mark Gialluisi recorded three RBI during the trip, including a season-high two RBI in the second game against Florida A&M.
• Freshman Jack Roventini totaled four hits and three RBI during the week.
• Transfer Jeremiah Holder appeared in two games, striking out three batters while allowing no runs and just one hit. SERIES HISTORY
• Tuesday's matchup marks the 136th meeting between Villanova and La Salle.
• Villanova holds a 101-33-1 advantage in the all-time series.
• The Wildcats have won 54 games at Villanova Ballpark against the Explorers.
  CHAVEZ ON THE MOUND
Sophomore Jack Chavez is scheduled to start on the mound for Villanova in Tuesday's midweek contest.

The Westfield, New Jersey native holds a 3.60 ERA to begin the season, allowing two runs on five hits while recording several strikeouts.

Tuesday will mark Chavez's fourth appearance and second start of the year. In his last start against North Florida, he tossed three scoreless innings, striking out three batters.
  SCOUTING LA SALLE
La Salle enters the matchup with an 8-6 record after being swept in a four-game series at Clemson.

• The Explorers come into Tuesday's game on a four-game losing streak following the Clemson series.
• Their other two losses this season came against Delaware.
• La Salle opened the season by sweeping Maryland Eastern Shore and later swept Coppin State.
• Chase Swain leads the Explorers offensively with a .354 batting average, along with three home runs and 16 RBI. UPCOMING WEEK
Following Tuesday's home opener, Villanova returns to the road for a three-game series at Charleston Southern in Charleston, South Carolina. The series begins Friday, March 13, at 6:00 p.m.