March 11, 2008

Box Score

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - A pair of unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning snapped a 3-3 tie and Villanova (3-8) was defeated by Wagner (3-3), 5-3, on Tuesday afternoon at the Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. Four Wildcat pitchers limited the Seahawks to seven hits in the game but Villanova managed just five hits of its own on a cold and windy afternoon.

Redshirt freshman Chris Pack (Hinsdale, Ill.) scattered just four hits over 5 1/3 innings of work. An unearned run scored against him in the first but that was the only damage Wagner would do until Vin Avella hit a two-run home run through the wind to left field in the sixth inning.

Three Villanova relievers combined to go the next 3 2/3 innings and were untouched until the two unearned runs in the ninth. Seniors Ryan Wendler (Conshohocken, Pa.) and Gus Guida (Martinsville, N.J.) and junior Josh Eidell (Norristown, Pa.) each pitched for the Wildcats.

Damian Csakai and Seth Boyd walked to start the inning and Jon Lucas laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position. After Avella was intentionally walked to set up a force play at any base, Eidell induced a potential inning-ending groundball. However, the ball was misplayed in the infield and a run scored. Kevin McDonnell followed with a sacrifice fly that would have been the third out if not for the error one play earlier.

Senior James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J.) drove in all thee runs for the Wildcats, whose hitters got all they could handle from Seahawk starting pitcher Kyle Morrison and relievers Matt Watson and Jack Rice. Dolbier singled home a run in the fourth inning and lined a two-run triple in the bottom of the sixth to answer Avella's home run in the top half.

Each of Dolbier's hits scored freshman Dain Hall (Barrington, Ill.), who was 2-for-3 on the day. Senior Derek Shunk (Yardley, Pa.) was 1-for-4 with a run scored. Villanova had its running game going as well, stealing four bases in as many tries in the game.

Morrison allowed three earned runs on five hits in six innings, walking one and striking out eight for Wagner. Watson pitched two hitless innings to earn the win before Rice registered his first save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Avella was the only Seahawk hitter with more than one hit. He reached base safely four times thanks to a 2-for-3 day at the plate and two intentional walks.

Villanova plays at La Salle on Wednesday at 3 p.m.