March 1, 2008

Box Score
Game 1 Recap"

BRADENTON, Fla. - Villanova (1-5) broke open a close game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and defeated Northeastern (1-1) by a final of 7-3 in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Wynn Field on the campus of Manatee Community College. The Wildcats picked up their first win of the season and salvaged a split for the day after falling 10-9 in the opening game.

With Villanova leading 3-2 in the sixth inning, junior Matt McFolling (Chicago, Ill.) drilled a triple to right field with the bases loaded to instantly provide some breathing room. Senior Derek Shunk (Yardley, Pa.) followed with a run-scoring double to deal the final blow. One inning earlier, Shunk singled home a run and McFolling scored on a double play ball to erase a short-lived 2-1 lead for the Huskies.

Senior Jordan Ellis (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) was all that Northeastern could handle offensively, as the Wildcats top starter struck out eight and scattered just six hits over six innings pitched in the team's first quality start of the season. Ellis (1-0, 2.45 ERA) struck out the side in the second and fourth innings and allowed just one earned run in his outing.

Josh Porter scored on a passed ball in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game 1-1 and Frank Compagnone hit a solo home run in the fifth to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead. Following Ellis, sophomore Kevin Crimmel (Harrisburg, Pa.) allowed just an unearned run in two innings and senior Gus Guida (Martinsville, N.J.) pitched a scoreless ninth.

Villanova opened the scoring in the bottom of the second when junior Joe Cotter (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) was hit by a pitch ahead of singles by junior Wesley Borden (State College, Pa.) and Guida. Junior Joe Rosati (Havertown, Pa.) then bounced an RBI groundball towards first base and was safe on an error when the hit was misplayed.

A similar cast of characters was involved in the sixth inning rally as Borden walked, Rosati was hit by a pitch and senior Ryan Arcadia (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) walked to load the bases and set up the big hits by McFolling and Shunk.

McFolling had two hits and drove in three runs while Shunk was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. Arcadia walked three times and scored twice and every Wildcat starter reached base at least once.

Northeastern freshman Les Williams made his collegiate debut and allowed seven hits and seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. He walked four, struck out five and began strong before faltering during the four-run frame in the sixth.

Tony Dicesare and Mike Lyon each had two hits for the Huskies.

Villanova plays Fairfield on Sunday at Noon at Academy Park in Bradenton.