March 20, 2008

Box Score

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - In cold and windy conditions that favored the pitching on both sides, Villanova (7-10, 0-1 Big East) lost the first game of a doubleheader, 4-0, on Thursday afternoon to Seton Hall (8-10, 2-2 Big East) at Owen T. Carroll Field.

Senior Jordan Ellis (Bryn Mawr, Va.) threw a strong game for the Wildcats but was dealt his first loss of the season as Villanova was shut out for the first time in 17 games this year. Ellis (2-1, 2.12 ERA) struck out seven and allowed just five hits in his fifth start of the season. It marked the fourth straight start in which Ellis had at least seven strikeouts.

The pitching on the Pirates side was just as strong, as Corey Young (3-1) and Sean Black combined for a three-hitter. The Wildcats did draw five walks and get hit by a pitch but also hit into three double plays and stranded six runners on base. Juniors Kyle Carver (Aldan, Pa.) and Wesley Borden (State College, Pa.) and senior Ryan Arcadia (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) each had a hit for Villanova.

Seton Hall opened the bottom of the third inning with a walk and hit batter, then moved both runners into scoring position with one out on a sacrifice bunt. Ellis struck out Frank Esposito looking for the second out and appeared to also fan Mark Pappas, but on a 1-and-2 pitch Pappas was ruled to not have gone around on a checked swing and the inning continued. A run scored on a wild pitch on Ellis' next offering and that was all the damage done by the Pirates until the seventh inning.

Seton Hall again had runners at second and third with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. This time, the Pirates made good on the scoring opportunity when A.J. Rusbarsky singled home two runs on the hardest hit ball against Ellis in the game.

Rusbarsky and Matt Smedberg had two hits apiece for Seton Hall. Young picked up his third win of the season with seven scoreless innings in which he allowed three hits, walked four and struck out five. Black pitched two hitless innings for his first save of the year.

The best scoring chance in the game for the Wildcats came in the top of the third inning when Carver opened the frame with a single and Villanova eventually loaded the bases with one out. However, Young struck out junior Joe Rosati (Havertown, Pa.) and then induced a fielder's choice ground ball to end the inning.

The game started with a temperature of 43 degrees and gusty winds that blew in from right field, causing offense to come at a premium for both teams. The second game of the doubleheader was set to begin at 3 p.m. and will also be a nine-inning game. Sophomore Brian Streilein (Staten Island, N.Y.) was the scheduled game two starter.