April 29, 1999

Villanova, Pa.--- Winding down his first season at Villanova University, freshman first baseman/pitcher Rob Cafiero (Massapequa Park, N.Y./ Massapequa High School) has already recorded numbers that few freshman ever do, or even upperclassmen for that matter.

With 48 games down in the 1999 season and just six more regular season games to go, Cafiero leads the Wildcat team in numerous offensive categories. He is tops on the team in home runs (9), RBI (66) and total bases (106). Three times this season, Cafiero has recorded multi-home run games.

In the Big East Conference statistics, Cafiero ranks No. 1 in RBI per game at 1.45 and is tied for first in RBI for overall games with 64. In Big East contests, he is currently second with 28 RBI. Cafiero's 64 total RBI place him among the NCAA leaders at well, at No. 18 nationally.

On the mound, Cafiero has also been a key contributor. In 11 appearances on the season, he has recorded a 5-3 record and a 5.51 ERA. Cafiero has allowed 30 earned runs on 51 hits in 49 innings, striking out 37 while walking only 23. In his most recent outing on Saturday, April 24, against the University of Connecticut, he picked up his fifth win of the season. Cafiero allowed only one run on five hits in seven innings against the Huskies, striking out four and walking three.

Cafiero and the Wildcats host West Virginia University on May 4-5 for their last home Big East weekend. Villanova will play a single game against the Mountaineers on Saturday, May 4, at 3:00 p.m., and a doubleheader on Sunday, May 5, beginning at 12:00 noon.