Villanova University

Feb. 10, 2000

The 1999 season brought with it a number of milestones for the Villanova University baseball team. The Wildcats won their second consecutive Liberty Bell Classic title, becoming only the second team ever to accomplish that feat. In addition, head coach George Bennett won his 400th game at the helm of the Villanova baseball program.

The Wildcats displayed ever so often during the 1999 campaign the "never say die attitude" that has become symbolic of Villanova baseball. Nine times during the season the `Cats would break ties or come from behind to win in their final at-bat of the game. Villanova returns the majority of the 1999 team that went 27-26-1 and showed so much heart and promise. With a great deal of talent and youth on the Wildcats heading into the new millennium, Bennett's Villanova club will continue to get better.

Infield:

The strength of the 2000 Wildcats comes in the infield, where junior Matt Longo will anchor the team from yet another new position. After playing in the outfield as a freshman in 1998, Longo moved to second base last season and thrived in his newfound role. In 2000 he will move once again, this time to third base.

Longo had a tremendous sophomore campaign in 1999, finishing the season among the team leaders in nearly every offensive category. He ended the year tied for the team lead in batting with a .361 average. In addition, Longo scored 64 runs and registered 16 doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 57 RBI. For his performance, he received first team All-Big East honors.

Joining Longo on the left side of the infield will be sophomore shortstop Brendan Mannix. Mannix showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman in 1999, and made up for his late season struggles at the plate with an outstanding fall season. He has the potential to be an outstanding player both at the plate and in the field.

Rob Cafiero stepped onto the Main Line in 1999 and quickly became one of the top first basemen in the Big East Conference. Tied with Longo for the team lead in batting at .361, Cafiero also tallied 15 doubles and team-highs of 10 home runs and 72 RBI. The 72 RBI ranked first in the Big East and also placed him among the national leaders for most of the season. Cafiero's dazzling season earned him Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America honors, Baseball America All-Freshman third team accolades and Big East Conference All-Rookie Team status.

Junior Nick Piantek will also see time at first base, in addition to his designated hitter duties. Piantek came on strong as the season went on in 1999 and contributed several clutch home runs. He batted .255 with 40 RBI, and finished tied for second on the team with nine long balls. Sophomore Mike Houser may also see some playing time at first base.

Second base will be a battle between sophomore Chris McGratty and freshman Brendan Trainor. McGratty saw action in 12 games as a freshman, and batted .364. He also played flawless baseball in the field, completing all 14 of his chances. McGratty will compete with Trainor, a Chelmsford, Massachusetts native, for playing time at second base.

Sophomore Matt Blaney, from Glendale, Calif., will add depth in the infield for the Wildcats. Blaney played in 24 contests in 1999, and batted .294 with five runs scored and three RBI. Three freshmen may also see time in the Villanova infield. Shortstop Ryan Crammer (Bordentown, N.J.), third baseman Michael Duncan (Toms River, N.J.) and second baseman Matt Metivier (Rochester, N.Y.) will make the `Cats two-deep at every position.

Outfield:

Despite losing three fine outfielders in Mike Perate, Joe DelVecchio and Bill Brehm, the Wildcats return two outstanding players who will play right and left field for Villanova in 2000. Junior Dave Pizzini had a break though season in 1999, becoming the everyday leftfielder for the `Cats early on in the season. Pizzini hit .359 and recorded 35 runs, 13 doubles, one triple, one home run and 36 RBI.

In right field, Chris Watson returns for his final season on the Main Line. Watson was one of 1999's biggest surprises as he batted .353, with 20 runs, six RBI and seven stolen bases in eight attempts. He was tops on the team in batting for Big East Conference games with a .375 average (15-for-40).

Filling the void in center field could be one of two players- sophomore Brian Hearne or freshman Christopher Graziano. Hearne played in 12 games last season for the Wildcats last season and was a reliable backup. Hailing from Lawrenceville, N.J., and Notre Dame Academy, Graziano will bring tremendous speed to the Villanova lineup. Houser will serve as a quality reserve in the outfield, along with freshman Brian Newbold from Newington, Conn.

Catcher:

Junior catcher Dan Glover has become a key leader behind the plate for Villanova, and brings a unique toughness and grit to the Wildcat team. Calling an outstanding game for a young pitching staff in 1999, Glover also threw out 19 base runners. He batted .209 with 11 doubles, two home runs and 22 RBI, but even more important was the fire and competitiveness he brought to the team.

Senior John Picone and sophomore Mark Thompson return to add depth behind Glover at the catcher position. Picone played in 10 games last season, batting .250. His game-winning hit versus Pennsylvania in the opening round of the Liberty Bell Classic gave head coach George Bennett his 400th Villanova victory. Thompson saw action in just six contests, but showed steady improvement as the season went on. Freshmen Gregory Fater will give the Wildcats another option behind the plate.

Pitching Staff:

The 1999 Villanova pitching staff can be described in one word: inexperience. This season with another year of experience under their belts, those same Wildcats should be that much more effective. Leading the Villanova rotation is hard-throwing, junior left-handed pitcher Aaron Krawiec. Krawiec started a team-high 14 games in 1999 and led the team in victories with six (6-4, 5.86 ERA). In 78.1 innings, he struck out 76 batters while walking just 48.

Coming on strong in 1999 was Drew Kirchner, who returns for his senior campaign this season. Kirchner was among the team leaders in victories and ERA, going 5-2 with a 5.40 ERA. Joining the rotation as a freshman is New Rochelle, N.Y., product Brian Slocum. A right-hander with a blazing fastball, Slocum is sure to take the Big East by surprise is his first season on the Main Line.

Senior Will Henry brings experience and leadership to the Villanova staff. Henry has given the `Cats solid innings throughout his career. Last season, he threw 68 innings and was tied for the team lead with two complete games. Making 10 starts in 1999, Cafiero will add depth to an up and coming Wildcat rotation again in 2000. Cafiero registered a 5-4 mark and a 5.77 ERA in 53.0 innings pitched one year ago. Sophomores Kevin Feeley and Dan Mullholland will also add depth to the Villanova staff, after putting together solid freshman season in 1999.

One of the strengths of the Wildcats' pitching will come from their bullpen. Leading the Villanova pen is junior closer Brian Manning. A 6-3 right-hander, Manning broke and tied several school records in 1999. With nine saves, he tied the Villanova record for saves in a season. In addition, he set new marks for appearances (30) and for strikeouts per inning (1.62).

Seeing time in middle relief will be juniors Matt Therien and Scott Ward and sophomores Bob Grzenda and Jason Petre. Therien and Grzenda both saw quality time in 1999, and will take on similar roles again this season. A number of freshman will also add depth to an improving Wildcat staff. New York natives Alen Knapic (Jamiaca, N.Y.), Thomas Kandybowicz (Massapequa, N.Y.), and James Russell (Rochester, N.Y.) will each add strength for pitching coach Doc Kennedy's staff as rookie righthanders. Also battling for innings will be freshmen Jon Grijalva (San Clemente, Calif.), John Yeager (Phoenixville, Pa.), and Mark Rocca (Andover, Mass.).