Feb. 18, 2007

Box Score |  Notes

NORFOLK, Va. - A narrow 1-0 lead was made history in the bottom of the sixth inning when 11 runs came in to score and Villanova (2-1) dropped the final game of a three-game series 11-2 on Sunday afternoon to Norfolk State (4-4). The Wildcats wind up taking two of three games from the Spartans in their opening weekend of play for the season.

After scoring 17 runs in the first two games of the series, Villanova appeared to be locked in a pitchers' duel for the first five innings on Sunday. Joe Rosati (Havertown, Pa.) singled and scored the game's opening run in the top of the second inning and Bill Hoffman (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) allowed just two hits while striking out five through the first five innings.

That all changed in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the first four batters reached base to knock Hoffman out of the game. Norfolk State wound up sending 15 men to the plate and scored 11 runs on just six hits to not only take the lead but the game well out of reach in the closing innings. The big inning featured six walks, a throwing error, wild pitch and hit batsman. The first four runs that scored (three earned) were charged to Hoffman, who took the loss.

Matt McFolling (Chicago, Ill.) and James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J.) each went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Villanova, which managed nine hits and drew three walks on the day. McFolling singled with two out in the seventh inning to drive home Joe Cotter (Bryn Mawr, Pa.), who went 2-for-3 with a run scored and was the team's leading hitter for the weekend (5-for-8, .625).

Five different Wildcat relievers finished off the game, with Jordan Ellis (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) and Ryan Wendler (Conshohocken, Pa.) each working a scoreless inning. Freshman Brian Streilein (Staten Island, N.Y.) also worked two-thirds of an inning without allowing an earned run.

Luke Foss scattered nine hits and one earned run through the first eight innings to record his first victory of the season for the Spartans. He walked three, struck out three and escaped significant damage despite not retiring the side in order in any of his eight innings. Villanova went 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position and 3-for-16 (.188) with runners on base in the game.

The Wildcats go back on the road next weekend for what should be one of the highlights of the non-conference schedule. Villanova travels to Tuscaloosa to play a three-game series against Alabama (6-1) from Friday through Sunday. The Tide play in the Southeastern Conference and advanced to within one game of the College World Series last season. The games next weekend begin with a 6:30 p.m. (CST) game on Friday evening.