March 4, 2001

Box Score

MIAMI, FLA-- In the first game of a Sunday doubleheader on March 4 at University Park on the campus of Florida International University, the Villanova baseball team was defeated by FIU by the score of 14-5. The Wildcats held a slim 5-4 lead heading into the seventh inning, but the Golden Panthers scored five times in both the seventh and eighth innings to pull away to a nine-run victory. With the loss, Villanova fell to 1-1 overall on the season. FIU improved to 12-5 overall with Sunday afternoon's win.

The Wildcats scored first, posting two runs in the top of the second inning. With one out in the inning, senior designated hitter Nick Piantek singled to center field. Junior right fielder Mike Houser followed with a single through the right side to advance Piantek to second. After a walk by Brendan Mannix to load the bases, junior catcher Greg Fater hit a chopper to shortstop. Mannix was forced out at second, but second baseman Tino Purgos' through was wide of first base, allowing both Piantek and Houser to score to give Villanova an early 2-0 advantage.

The Golden Panthers trimmed the Wildcat lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the second on an RBI single to center by Michael New. One inning later, FIU took its first lead of the game. Following a game-tying RBI single by designated hitter Brendan Hines, right fielder Miguel Quintana recorded an RBI single and third baseman Gus Alfonso doubled home Quintana to five the Panthers a 4-2 lead.

The game would remain that way until the top of the fifth inning when Villanova struck back. The Wildcats loaded the bases on two walks and an error by Alfonso. Senior second baseman Matt Longo singled to centerfield to score freshman shortstop Brian Trotta to pull Villanova within one run. Two batters later, Piantek knocked in two more runs with a single to center giving the `Cats a 5-4 lead.

The FIU bats came alive in the bottom of the seventh, as the Golden Panthers scored five times on four hits and a Villanova error. Highlighting the inning for FIU was center fielder Mike Huntington who registered two RBI on a double to right center, give the Panthers back the lead at 9-5.

FIU put the game away in the bottom of the eighth, scoring five more times to pull away and secure a 14-5 win. Alfonso's three-run home run in the inning was the back-breaker for the Wildcats.

Taking the loss for Villanova was junior Bob Grzenda, who surrendered five runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Starting on the mound for the Wildcats but not factoring in the decision was sophomore Tom Kandybowicz. Kandybowicz gave up four runs on seven hits in four innings, striking out four and walking two.

Tallying the victory for FIU was Josh Banks, who came on to pitch three scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit and striking out two batters.

Piantek went two-for-four in the game for Villanova, with one run scored and two RBI. Also posting RBI in the loss was Longo and junior catcher Greg Fater.

The Wildcats will play the second game of their Sunday doubleheader at 6:00 p.m., versus Buffalo at University Park.