Villanova University

Feb. 19, 2006

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NORFOLK, Va. - The Wildcats wrapped up their weekend series against Norfolk State with a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Marty Miller Field. Villanova dropped a 3-1 decision in the first game before taking the second game by a 4-3 score.

The Wildcats trailed 2-1 for much of that second game but received six innings of scoreless relief work from junior Nate Hall (Longmont, Colo.). Hall pitched the second through seventh innings and allowed just three hits, while walking none and striking out three. Villanova rallied with two runs in the top of the seventh inning and one more in the eighth, giving Hall the victory.

The Wildcats still trailed 2-1 in the seventh when sophomore Ryan Arcadia (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) came up with the bases loaded and two outs. Arcadia beat out an infield single to score the tying run, and a second run scored on a throwing error on the same play. In the eighth inning, sophomore James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance senior Jeremy Hunt (Tampa, Fla.) into scoring position, and senior Craig Mirsky (Holland, Pa.) followed with an RBI single.

Dolbier was 2-for-4 in the game and hit a solo homerun in the top of the second inning to account for the team's first run. Villanova wound up with 12 of its 23 hits for the weekend coming in that second game. Sophomore Derek Shunk (Yardley, Pa.) was 3-for-5, while Mirsky and senior Kris Molloy (Hillsborough, N.J.) joined Dolbier with two hits apiece.

In the first game, junior starting pitcher Mike Loree (Gillette, N.J.) and Mark Young each pitched a complete game for their teams. Loree (0-1, 4.50 ERA) struck out eight and walked just one in his six innings of work, but the Spartans plated single runs in the first, second and fourth innings along the way to posting the victory.

Villanova managed just four hits against Young, who walked five and struck out three in the game. The Wildcats tallied their lone run in the top of the third inning when sophomore Ryan Arcadia (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) hit a sacrifice fly to score freshman Matt McFolling (Chicago, Ill.). McFolling led off the inning with a walk and eventually reached third base on a passed ball and a wild pitch.

The Wildcats took two out of the three games in this weekend's series, including a 9-2 victory in Saturday's opening game. Villanova will next travel to the University of Texas for a three-game series against the defending national champion Longhorns from Friday through Sunday.