April 17, 2000

VILLANOVA, PA.--- On Monday, April 17, Villanova baseball junior leftfielder Dave Pizzini and freshman pitcher Brian Slocum earned Big East Conference weekly honors for their roles in helping lead the Wildcats to a perfect 6-0 week. Pizzini was named Big East Co-Player of the Week, while Slocum earned Rookie of the Week honors.

It was the second time this season that Pizzini was named Big East Player of the Week, with his first conference accolade coming on March 6. This past week, he was the key to a Villanova offense that averaged 7.5 runs and 11 hits per game in six contests. Pizzini batted .520 for the week, posting 13 hits in 25 at-bats. In addition, he had eight runs scored, four doubles, two triples, four stolen bases and four RBI. Pizzini is now batting .430 (64-for-149) to lead the team, also ranking first on the Wildcats in runs (36), doubles (12), triples (3), slugging (.591), on-base percentage (.469) and stolen bases (8).

Slocum was named Rookie of the Week for the first time in his young, promising Villanova career. Starting the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 15, versus Georgetown, he pitched eight innings and allowed just five hits and two unearned runs, walking five and striking out four. The win tied him with fellow freshman Tom Kandybowicz for the team lead in victories with four. Slocum (4-1) leads the team in ERA for both overall games (2.70) and Big East Conference contests (2.19). In 50 innings in 2000, he has surrendered just 40 hits and 15 earned runs, striking out 34 and walking 29. Opponents are currently hitting just .225 off of the talented righthander.