PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — The Villanova baseball team wraps up its home schedule this weekend with a three-game BIG EAST series against St. John's beginning Friday, May 8, at Villanova Ballpark.
THIS WEEKEND
• Friday, May 8 — vs. St. John's — 3:05 p.m.
• Saturday, May 9 — vs. St. John's — 2:05 p.m.
• Sunday, May 10 — vs. St. John's — 1:05 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats have found their rhythm lately, winning five of their last six games. In their most recent outing, Villanova dominated Towson, 14-1, in a seven-inning run-rule victory on Wednesday afternoon.
Villanova wasted no time taking control, scoring three runs in the opening inning behind RBI doubles from senior
Michael Whooley, sophomore
Austin Lemon, and freshman
Larry Hotaling. The Wildcats extended the lead to 5-0 in the second before erupting for seven runs in the fourth inning.
John Freitag highlighted the frame with a two-run single, while redshirt sophomore
Mark Gialluisi added a two-run homer to break the game open.
Lemon and Hotaling each drove in another run in the fifth inning as Villanova built a 14-0 advantage. On the mound, seven Wildcat pitchers combined to hold Towson to just one run, with
CJ Furey earning the win after tossing two scoreless innings.
VILLANOVA LEADERS
Senior
Collin Quintano has been one of the Wildcats' top offensive threats this season. Heading into the final home series, Quintano is batting .324 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs.
Sophomore
Brayden Leonard has also turned in a strong campaign, totaling 34 RBIs and two home runs this season. Leonard was especially productive in Villanova's last conference series, driving in six runs while adding a homer against Georgetown.
SERIES HISTORY
Villanova and St. John's meet for the 119th-121st times this weekend in a longtime BIG EAST rivalry. The Wildcats trail the all-time series, 50-68, and are 16-25 against the Red Storm at home.
The last meeting between the programs came earlier this season, when St. John's secured a 6-3 win to clinch the series.
SCOUTING ST. JOHN'S
St. John's enters the weekend with a 26-22 overall record and is tied for first place in the BIG EAST standings at 11-4 in conference play. The Red Storm dropped a 7-4 decision to Stony Brook on Tuesday after taking two of three games from Creighton last weekend.
Redshirt sophomore Adam Agresti has led the St. John's offense this season, pacing the team with 17 home runs and 46 RBIs.
UP NEXT
Villanova closes out the regular season next weekend with a three-game road series at UConn beginning Thursday, May 14, at 6:05 p.m.
