Villanova University

March 24, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - In the first release of the national statistics leaders this week, Villanova outfielders Justin Bencsko (Pompton Plains, N.J.) and Matt Szczur (Erma, N.J.) are among several Wildcats that rank in the top 10 in the country in a number of different categories. Most noteworthy is batting average, as Bencsko (.529) and Szczur (.522) rank fourth and fifth in the nation, respectively.

Through the first 17 games of the season (games played through Sunday, March 21), Villanova has been on an incredible offensive tear. As a team, the Wildcats are batting .334 with a .431 on-base percentage and a .429 slugging percentage while going 14-3 to start the season. Bencsko and Szczur have been a potent combination at the top of the order and are currently the top two hitters in the BIG EAST Conference.

Thanks to their incredible speed, both players are especially troublesome for opposing teams once they are on base. Bencsko has added to his 27 hits on the year with 10 walks and six times being hit by pitch. His .614 on-base percentage ranks fourth best in the country, while he is also seventh in stolen bases and second in stolen bases per game. Bencsko has 17 steals and has been caught just once all year.

Despite the fact that Szczur has played in two fewer games than Bencsko, the players are tied for the team lead with 24 runs scored on the year. That comes out to 1.71 runs per game for Szczur, which ranks as the fourth-best mark in the country. Combined, the Wildcats top two hitters have scored 48 runs and driven in 26 while stealing 26 bases in 29 tries.

Infielders Marlon Calbi (Montclair, N.J.) and David Koczirka (Thornton, Pa.) also are ranked among the nation's best. Calbi ranks eighth in the country in sacrifice bunts with six on the season, and his 0.35 sacrifices per game are ninth in the nation. Meanwhile, Koczirka is tied for ninth in the country with four sacrifice flies on the year.

On the mound, Kevin Crimmel (Harrisburg, Pa.) has pitched 18 2/3 innings this season while walking just one batter. That ratio comes out to 0.48 walks per nine innings, a figure that ranks as fifth-best in the country.

As a team, Villanova ranks in the top 10 in the nation in both stolen bases and steals per game. The Wildcats have run almost at will thus far on the year and have stolen 59 bases while being caught just six times. The 59 steals rank third in the country and the 3.47 stolen bases per game are fourth nationally.

The official NCAA stat leaders will be updated every Tuesday during the season at NCAA.com.

Villanova looks to continue its outstanding start to the season on Wednesday afternoon when it hosts Penn at 3:15 p.m. at the Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth.