PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — The Villanova baseball team opens BIG EAST play this weekend, welcoming Butler to Villanova Ballpark for a three-game series beginning Thursday, April 2 at 3:05 p.m.
  THIS WEEKEND

• Thursday, April 2 vs. Butler — 3:05 p.m.
• Friday, April 3 vs. Butler — 2:05 p.m.
• Saturday, April 4 vs. Butler — 12:05 p.m.

  LAST TIME OUT
Villanova looks to bounce back after an 11-1 loss to Lafayette in the opening round of the Liberty Bell Classic on Tuesday.

• The Leopards struck first with a three-run home run in the third inning.
• Villanova answered in the fourth when Mark Gialluisi doubled to left field, scoring John Freitag for the Wildcats' lone run.
• Lafayette added a solo home run and another run in the eighth while holding Villanova scoreless the rest of the way.
• The Wildcats left four runners on base across the sixth and seventh innings, unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
• Lafayette broke the game open in the ninth, plating six runs, including a grand slam by Kyle McKernan.
• Villanova was unable to rally in the final frame.

  VILLANOVA AS OF LATE

• Despite the loss, John Freitag went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and scored the Wildcats' only run.
• Mark Gialluisi recorded the lone RBI, bringing his season total to 11.
• Collin Quintano leads the team with 20 RBI, followed closely by Michael Whooley with 18.
• Brayden Leonard continues to build on a strong freshman campaign, leading the team in both hits and batting average this season.

  SERIES HISTORY

• Villanova holds a 15-18 all-time record against Butler, including a 6-9 mark at home.
• The Wildcats won last season's series, taking two of three games, highlighted by a dominant 21-2 run-rule victory in the finale.

  SCOUTING BUTLER
Butler enters conference play with an 8-20 record after an 8-7 win over Milwaukee to secure a series victory.

• The Bulldogs opened the season by dropping two of three to UT Martin before earning a midweek win over Illinois.
• After a loss to Eastern Illinois, Butler was swept by Murray State and later took one of three from Marshall.
• The Bulldogs endured an eight-game losing streak against teams including Morehead State, Bellarmine, and Wichita State before snapping it with a win over Ball State.
• Most recently, Butler won a series against Milwaukee, taking the first and third games.
• Mathew Rhoades has been a standout at the plate, totaling 16 home runs and 29 RBI while batting .287 through 28 games.

  UP NEXT
Villanova will continue play in the Liberty Bell Classic on April 7 at Villanova Ballpark. The opponent for the second round is to be announced.