March 1, 2008

Box Score
Game 2 Recap

BRADENTON, Fla. - A three-run rally in the top of the ninth inning nearly brought Villanova (0-5) all the way back against Northeastern (1-0) in the first game of a doubleheader, but the Wildcats came up one run short in a 10-9 loss at Wynn Field on the campus of Manatee Community College.

Despite allowing runs to the Huskies in every inning, Villanova tied the score at 6-6 in the top of the seventh and then nearly rallied from four runs down in its final at-bat. The rally in the ninth featured just one hit - a run-scoring single by freshman Dain Hall (Barrington, Ill.) - but ultimately ended with the potential tying run left on third base.

Junior Matt McFolling (Chicago, Ill.) drew his third walk of the game to open the ninth and, after a fielder's choice, senior Robert Parks (Brick, N.J.) walked as well. Hall sliced a ball through the left side to score a run and senior Tim Poydenis (Vero Beach, Fla.) loaded the bases when his fielder's choice grounder was misplayed.

The next Wildcat run came when junior Joe Rosati (Havertown, Pa.) was hit by a pitch for the second time in a game, this time forcing in Parks from third. Freshman David Koczirka (Thornton, Pa.) bounced into a fielder's choice to bring home another run and move Poydenis over to third base. However, senior Derek Shunk (Yardley, Pa.) skied a fly ball to left field that was caught for the final out.

Shunk and senior Dan Terpak (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) had three hits and scored two runs apiece to lead Villanova offensively. Terpak's two-run home run in the seventh was his fourth in five games and tied the score at 6-6. The Wildcats hung with the Huskies for the entire contest, although Northeastern plated single runs in each of the first six innings and a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

The Wildcats went 1-for-6 with the bases loaded in the game and stranded 12 runners, but in the top of the fourth junior Kyle Carver (Aldan, Pa.) singled down the left field line with the bases full to plate the first two Villanova runs. Sophomore Justin Bencsko (Pompton Plains, N.J.) added an RBI single in the fifth and Terpak doubled home a run to briefly tie the score at 4-4 before the Huskies scored the next two runs.

In the season opener for Northeastern, Tony Dicesare and Frank Compagnone each had three hits and two runs scored. The Huskies collected 15 hits and earned the victory with their persistent offensive attack. Dicesare added two RBI and James Donaldson went 2-for-3 with three runs scored.

Senior Bill Hoffman (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) went the first 3 1/3 innings for the Wildcats and struck out four while being charged with four earned runs. Classmate Ryan Wendler (Conshohocken, Pa.) pitched the next 1 2/3 innings and sophomore Brian Streilein (Staten Island, N.Y.) worked the final three frames. Streilein (0-1) was credited with the loss, although two of the four runs charged to his ledger were unearned.

Sheldon McDonald pitched two innings in relief and earned the win for Northeastern.

Villanova won the nightcap by a score of 7-3 to pick up its first win of the season.