Feb. 15, 2007

Villanova Season Preview

VILLANOVA, Pa.-- As residents and business finish cleaning up from this week's winter storm that moved through the area, the Villanova baseball team things on its mind far removed from snow and ice. The Wildcats are headed for Virginia this weekend to open the season with a three-game series against Norfolk State from Friday through Sunday.

The weekend series begins on Friday with a 2 p.m. start at Marty Miller Field and continues with games being played at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This trip will mark the fourth straight season that Villanova plays against Norfolk State and the second straight year that the Wildcats open their season against The Spartans. Villanova is 8-1 against Norfolk State over the past three seasons.

The current forecast calls for dry weather conditions throughout the weekend in Virginia, an outlook that would be a welcome change to the wet rain and snow that has fallen during this series in the past. Temperatures are expected to be in the 30's for the game on Friday and then reach into the 40's during the weekend.

Senior right-hander Mike Loree (Gillette, N.J.) will draw the start in Friday's opener for the Wildcats, who will come back with sophomore Josh Eidell (Pottstown, Pa.) on Saturday and junior Bill Hoffman (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) on Sunday.

Following this weekend's slate of games against Norfolk State will be one of the highlights of the 2007 schedule. The Wildcats will be in Tuscaloosa, Alabama from February 22-24 for a three-game series against Alabama.

For scores, recaps and statistics from this weekend's series, visit www.villanova.com throughout the weekend or call the Villanova Athletics scoring hotline at 888-400-6682 (NOVA). Updates will be posted each evening during the series.