Feb. 14, 2004

Final Stats

NORFOLK, VA. - Wildcat pitchers Dan Farino and Michael Grodecki combined on a three-hit shutout in game two of a Saturday doubleheader on Feb. 14th at Marty L. Miller Field in Norfolk, Va., as the Villanova baseball team defeated Norfolk State 1-0 to complete the sweep. Sophomore centerfielder Kris Molloy knocked in the game's only run with an RBI single in the top of the third for the Wildcats, who improved to 2-0 on the season with the win. The Spartans fell to 1-4 on the year with Saturday's losses.

Farino almost failed to get out of the first inning as he walked three and hit a batter. With the bases loaded and two outs, however, he struck out Brandon Norvell looking to end the Norfolk scoring threat.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the third inning. Catcher Jim Gillin led off the inning by drawing a walk and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by second baseman Mark Cardillo. Molloy broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single to left-center that scored Gillin to give Villanova the 1-0 lead.

Farino pitched four shutout innings without allowing a hit, but gave way to Grodecki in the fifth inning. Grodecki picked up right where Farino left off. After allowing the Spartans' first hit in the fifth inning by Ryan Reddick, he sent Norfolk down in order through the rest of the fifth and the sixth innings.

The Spartans attempted to rally in the seventh and final inning, putting runners on first and second with just one out. Grodecki got Reddick to ground to short for the second out of the inning, but then walked T.J. Starkley to load the bases. The Wildcats' 6-8 right-hander decided he had seen enough and put a stop to the Norfolk rally by striking out Charles Lalane swinging to end the game.

Farino (1-0) got the win on the mound for the `Cats, while Grodecki threw three shutout innings with three strikeouts to pick up his first save.

Corbin (0-1) took the loss for the Spartans allowing one run on six hits in four innings.

For Villanova at the plate, juniors Alan Day and Angelo Petracca each posted two hits, while Molloy had the game-winning RBI.

The Wildcats will wind down their three-game weekend series on Sunday, taking on Norfolk State in a single game beginning at noon.