PLY.MOUTH MEETING, Pa – The Villanova baseball team closed out its home schedule with an 8-2 Senior Day victory over St. John's in the final game of the series on Sunday, May 10, at Villanova Ballpark.

The Wildcats wasted no time jumping in front. The first two Villanova batters reached base on a hit-by-pitch and a walk before the 'Cats executed a double steal to move both runners into scoring position. Senior Collin Quintano capped off a memorable Senior Day start with a two-run single to center field, giving Villanova an early lead. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, redshirt sophomore Mark Gialluisi beat out an infield single to bring home another run and extend the advantage to 3-0 after the opening frame.

Villanova added to its lead in the fourth inning. Following a leadoff walk by senior Aidan Barry, Barry advanced into scoring position and later came home on a sophomore Brayden Leonard RBI single up the middle. Leonard's hit marked his 35th RBI of the season.

The Wildcats continued to pour on the offense in the fifth. Senior Michael Whooley drew a walk before freshman Larry Hotaling singled to right field, putting runners on the corners. Graduate student Carter Richey lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score another run, and sophomore Austin Lemon delivered a two-out RBI single to left field after entering as a pinch hitter, stretching the Villanova lead to 6-0.

Villanova's pitching staff was dominant throughout the afternoon. Junior Jake Francis got the start and tossed two scoreless innings before graduate student Will Parkinson took over in relief. Parkinson was outstanding, throwing more than four scoreless innings while allowing no hits and just one baserunner. The graduate student retired nine consecutive batters during his outing.

The Wildcats broke the game open in the sixth inning. After loading the bases, Richey came through again with a two-run hit to cap off a three-RBI afternoon and give Villanova an 8-0 lead.

St. John's broke up the shutout in the eighth inning with a sacrifice fly before adding another run in the ninth on a two-out RBI single to make the final score 8-2.

Villanova finished off the win in convincing fashion, securing a strong Senior Day victory and ending the home portion of its 2026 schedule on a high note.

UP NEXT
Villanova travels to Storrs, Connecticut, for its final series of the 2026 season against UConn Huskies baseball. The series begins Thursday, May 14, at 6:05 p.m.