Villanova University

Feb. 18, 2006

Box Score (HTML)
Box Score (PDF)

NORFOLK, Va. - In its first game of the season, Villanova (1-0) used its usual formula to come up with a 9-2 victory over Norfolk State (2-6) on Saturday afternoon at Marty Miller Field. Strong pitching and defense, combined with patient and timely hitting, sent the Wildcats to victory in their season opener for the second time in three years. Steady rain with intermittent sleet began as the game got underway, and a mist continued throughout the remainder of the afternoon.

"We pitched well, played good defense and were fortunate to have the lead and get enough bunts down to come away with a win," head coach Joe Godri said. "Their starter pitched very well and is as good a left-hander as we can expect to see all year, but once they got into their bullpen there was a drop-off and we took advantage."

Junior starting pitcher Kevin Mulvey (Parlin, N.J.) worked five innings and allowed just one earned run to pick up the victory, while senior reliever Ted Aust (Phoenix, Ariz.) pitched two scoreless innings to for the save.

Villanova scored one run in the first and three more in the top of the second inning, but the Spartans scored twice in the bottom half of the second to pull within 4-2. The score remained that way until the top of the seventh, when the Wildcats exploded for five runs to account for the final margin.

Sophomore Derek Shunk (Yardley, Pa.) drew a one-out walk in the first inning and scored one batter later when senior Jeremy Hunt (Tampa, Fla.) smacked an RBI double off the top of the wall in center field. Shunk came to the plate again in the second inning and delivered a two-run single that scored senior Kris Molloy (Hillsborough, N.J.) and sophomore Ryan Arcadia (Upper Saddle River, N.J.).

In the bottom of the second inning, Terrence Smith stole third base and scored on a throwing error, and Anselmo Cantu delivered an RBI single to cut the Villanova lead in half. Norfolk State was otherwise kept at bay on the offensive end, as Mulvey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) struck out five and walked none while allowing five hits in his outing. Aust (0.00, 1 save) retired six of the seven batters he faced over the final two frames.

"Kevin pitched very well given the conditions," Godri said. "He couldn't grip his slider because of the rain and pitched almost exclusively with his fastball and changeup. That is a tough spot to be in but he pitched extremely well with the weather. As a team, I was happy that we played so well given the conditions. We had a good batting practice before the rain started and that helped us start off well."

Spartan starting pitcher De'Mece Williams pitched the first six innings and kept his team within striking distance. The bullpen took over in the seventh inning, though, and the Wildcats responded with five runs on three hits and five walks. Senior Craig Mirsky (Holland, Pa.) pinch-hit with the bases loaded and singled home the first run of the inning, while sophomore James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J.) followed with a two-run single. The final two runs in the inning scored on wild pitches.

Molloy went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base in the victory, while five different players all had one hit apiece. Seven of the nine starters in the lineup reached base at least once and Villanova drew eight walks without giving any up in the victory.

Jose Torres had two hits and a run scored for the Spartans.

The teams had been scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday, but the persistent rain forced a postponement of the second game. The series will now conclude with a doubleheader beginning at Noon on Sunday. The first game will be a 7-inning affair, followed by a 9-inning contest in the nightcap. Junior Mike Loree (Gillette, N.J.) and sophomore Jordan Ellis (Radnor, Va.) are the scheduled starters for the Wildcats.