March 22, 2008

Box Score

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Seton Hall (10-10, 4-2 Big East) broke out to a big lead in the early innings and finished a three-game sweep of Villanova (7-12, 0-3 Big East) with a 13-0 victory on Saturday afternoon at Owen T. Carroll Field. The Wildcats scored just two runs in the series and were shutout in the series finale for the second time in three days.

The Pirates used four pitchers who combined to three-hit Villanova for the second time in the series but the Wildcats had their offensive chances thanks to nine walks and two bit batters. Villanova, however, left 13 runners on base in the game and finished the series 0-for-27 with runners in scoring position.

Senior Ryan Arcadia (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) and junior Joe Rosati (Havertown, Pa.) each reached base three times for the Wildcats. Arcadia drew three walks and Rosati had an infield hit and accounted for both of Villanova's hit batters.

Unlike the doubleheader the teams played on Thursday - when offense was hard to come by in both directions - Seton Hall started the day with an offensive burst. The Pirates scored four times in the first inning and four times in the third inning to quickly establish a commanding advantage.

Greg Miller singled home a run in the first inning and hit a sacrifice fly in the third for Seton Hall. He finished 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI and was also the winning pitcher on the mound. Miller threw six scoreless innings and allowed two hits and five walks while striking out four.

Sophomore Kevin Crimmel (Harrisburg, Pa.) took the loss for the Wildcats after being charged with seven runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched. Out of the bullpen, senior Gus Guida (Martinsville, N.J.) limited the Pirates to one run over a career-high three innings pitched. Senior Bill Hoffman (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) and junior Ryan Shockley (Seaford, Del.) combined to pitch the seventh and eighth innings without allowing an earned run.

Mark Pappas had two hits and three runs scored for Seton Hall and Chris Affinito finished 3-for-5.

Villanova is in the midst of a two-week stretch of games away from home. The Wildcats next play at Lehigh on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the first round of the Liberty Bell Classic. Villanova also goes back on the road in BIG EAST play next weekend for a three-game series at Connecticut from Friday-Sunday.