April 10, 2005

Final Stats

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - Six of the team's 10 hits on Sunday came with runners in scoring position, and Villanova (19-8-1 Overall, 6-4 Big East) held off Seton Hall (8-19, 2-8 BE) in the rubber game of a three-game conference series on Sunday afternoon at the Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. Clutch hitting and strong pitching helped the Wildcats score five decisive runs in its last three at-bats, giving Villanova two of the three games in the series.

Junior Kris Molloy (Hillsborough, N.J.) reached base on a bunt single with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, and eventually scored on an errant throw by the catcher to give the Wildcats the lead for good at 3-2. Freshman Derek Shunk (Yardley, Pa.) singled later in the inning to make the score 4-2, and senior Mark Cardillo (Naples, Fla.) reached on a bunt single in the seventh to make it a three-run game. Villanova stretched the margin when Shunk and junior Craig Mirsky (Holland, Pa.) scored in the eighth on a two-base error by the third baseman that allowed senior Alan Day (Lake Ridge, Va.) to reach second base safely.

Sophomore pitcher Kevin Mulvey (Parlin, N.J.) pitched seven strong innings to improve to 4-0 on the season and stretch his winning streak to eight consecutive decisions in his last 11 starts, dating back to last season. Mulvey scattered just four hits and two runs, one earned, in his outing. He struck out a career-high nine batters, while walking four. Junior reliever Ted Aust (Phoenix, Ariz.) recorded the final five outs for his second save of the season, and lowered his team-best ERA to 0.85.

The Wildcats trailed 1-0 after the Pirates scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning. However, it was the only time Villanova trailed in the game, and Seton Hall surrendered the lead for good in the sixth inning. Sophomore Andy Wendle (New London, Pa.) had an RBI single in the second inning to score Villanova's first run, while junior Jeremy Hunt (Tampa, Fla.) singled in the third to give the Wildcats a 2-1 advantage. Seton Hall tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning before Villanova took control of the late innings.

The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. when they face Lehigh in the championship game of the Liberty Bell Classic. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, as the teams meet in the title game for the second straight season. Tickets are $5 at the door.