Villanova University

April 2, 2006

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Freshman pitcher Josh Eidell (Norristown, Pa.) permitted just three hits over seven strong innings, but Villanova (12-13, 1-5 Big East) fell victim to a one-out grand slam by Scarlet Knights catcher Frank Meade in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 5-3 loss to Rutgers (9-14-1, 2-4 BE) on Sunday afternoon at the Class of '53 Complex.

The Wildcats jumped in front with two runs in the top of the third inning and led 3-1 going to the bottom of the eighth inning. Freshman Joe Rosati (Havertown, Pa.) singled to lead off the third inning and scored on a double by sophomore Ryan Arcadia (Upper Saddle River, N.J.). Senior Craig Mirsky (Holland, Pa.) reached on a bunt single, and sophomore Derek Shunk (Yardley, Pa.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Arcadia.

The Scarlet Knights broke through in the fourth inning on a double by Victor Cegles that made the score 2-1, but Eidell turned in his second-straight strong start. He worked seven innings and permitted just three hits and one run, while walking four, striking out two and recording 10 outs on the ground.

Sophomore James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J.) led off the seventh inning and hit a ball up the middle that got into the gap in centerfield. He beat out a double on the play and eventually scored when senior Kris Molloy (Hillsborough, N.J.) singled to right-center field after the Scarlet Knights intentionally walked Rosati.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Rutgers strung together three straight singles to load the bases after a called third strike recorded by junior Nate Hall (Longmont, Colo.) started the inning. Meade then stepped up and hit the first pitch he saw over the fence in left-center field for his league-best eighth home run of the season.

Junior catcher Andy Wendle (New London, Pa.) reached on a two-out error in the ninth inning to prolong the game, but Villanova's fate was sealed one batter later, as Scarlet Knights starter Sean Spicer finished his first complete game of the season to improve to 4-1 overall in 2006.

Mirsky was 2-for-4 to lead the Wildcats, who had six hits on the day.

Villanova will next travel to Easton, Pa. on Tuesday afternoon to face Lafayette at 3:00 p.m. The teams will be meeting in the second round of the local Liberty Bell Classic, with the winner advancing to the championship game at Citizens Bank Park on April 11. The team that wins Tuesday's game will face either Delaware or La Salle in the championship game.

NOTES: Rosati, making his fourth start of the season in left field, made a spectacular catch to account for the first out of the fifth inning ... On a fly ball hit down the line, Rosati raced into foul territory and leaned across the fence to make a reaching catch ... Sunday's loss meant the end to a remarkable streak for the Wildcats ... Villanova had been undefeated in its last 59 games when leading after seven innings ... Since losing to Virginia Tech 5-3 on April 7, 2003, the Wildcats had been 58-0-1 in games they led after the seventh inning ... Arcadia's double in the third inning extended his hitting streak to five games, the longest current streak on the team.