May 17, 2007

Box Score

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - Two-out rallies in the second and fourth innings each led to three runs scoring for Rutgers (35-17, 19-6 Big East), which defeated Villanova (27-22, 11-14 Big East) by a score of 8-2 on Thursday at the Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. The Wildcats lost the opening game of a three-game series for just the fourth time in 11 series this season, and remain one win away from clinching a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament.

The Scarlet Knights were 7-for-16 (.438) with two outs in the game and scored five of their six runs in the second and fourth innings with two men down. After Villanova opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first, Rutgers built what proved to be an insurmountable lead with the pair of three-run innings.

Junior Ryan Arcadia (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) reached base safely to start the first inning for the Wildcats for the 11th time in the last 12 games, lining a single up the middle to extend his career-best hitting streak to 14 games. Arcadia advanced to second on a walk to junior Derek Shunk (Yardley, Pa.) and the two runners executed a successful double steal on the very next pitch. Arcadia came in to score on the play when a throw down to second base went into the outfield.

The hit by Arcadia leading off the first inning was all that Villanova would get off of Rutgers starter Steve Healing until a single by sophomore Joe Rosati (Havertown, Pa.) with one out in the seventh inning. The Wildcats got their only other run in the eighth inning when Shunk singled with one out and scored on a triple by junior James Dolbier (Lebanon, N.J.).

Senior starting pitcher Mike Loree (Gillette, N.J.) was dealt a loss for only the third time in 13 starts this season, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) in 6.0 innings of work. He walked six but also struck out a season-high seven batters in the game. Loree left after allowing a leadoff single in the seventh inning and senior Nate Hall (Longmont, Colo.) worked the final three innings, allowing three hits and striking out three while allowing the one inherited runner to score.

Junior Gus Guida (Martinsville, N.J.) had two hits for Villanova, including a single in the seventh inning that extended his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games. Guida also singled to lead off the ninth inning and had the only multi-hit game for the Wildcats. Villanova managed just six hits off of Healing and two relievers.

Ryan Hill hit a two-out, three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to break open what was a 3-1 lead for the Scarlet Knights. Tim Querns had three hits and two runs scored, while Mike Bionde had two hits and scored twice as well. Leadoff hitter Todd Frazier was officially 0-for-3 but drew three walks and scored a run.

Healing was the winning pitcher for Rutgers, going 7 2/3 innings and allowing five hits and two runs (one earned). He walked two and stuck out four to pick up his eighth win of the season.

The teams continue their weekend series on Friday at 4 p.m.

NOTES: Loree has now pitched 312.2 career innings overall and 206.1 innings in BIG EAST games ... He extended a school and conference record in those categories that he set two weeks ago in a win over West Virginia ... Loree also moved up to fifth place in school history with 208 career strikeouts, one strikeout away from tying for fourth place ... Arcadia's 14-game hitting streak is the longest by a Villanova hitter this season ... Shunk's single in the eighth inning moved him into a tie for eighth place in school history with 202 career hits ... He needs five more hits to tie for seventh place and just 40 more hits to tie the school record of 242 held by Matt Longo (1998-01) ... The Wildcats are 7-4 in the first game of a three-game series this season and had won two straight opening games.