May 7, 2001

VILLANOVA, PA - On Monday, May 7, Villanova sophomore center fielder Chris Graziano was named Co-Big East Player of the Week for his performance in helping lead the Wildcat baseball team to a perfect 5-0 week.

Graziano was unstoppable both at the plate and on the base-paths this week. He batted .450 (9-for-20) with 10 runs scored, two doubles, two RBI and seven stolen bases in five games. Against the University of Pittsburgh, Graziano went seven-for-12 (.583) with seven runs scored and five steals. He posted an on-base percentage of .560 in the Wildcats' three-game sweep of the Panthers.

Villanova was five games under .500 heading into the week with only five games left in the 2001 season. With Graziano's stellar play from the leadoff position in the Wildcat lineup, Villanova won five consecutive games to end the season with a 25-25-1 overall record.

Sixth in the nation in stolen bases per game, Graziano leads the Big East in stolen bases for both overall games and Big East Conference contests. Earlier this season on April 15, versus Drexel University, he stole his 27th base of the season to break the Villanova single season stolen base record of 26 set by Brian Fili in 1997. Graziano finished the season with 37 stolen bases in 41 attempts.

Setting new career-highs in every offensive category this season, Graziano finished the year batting .357 (56-for-157) with 40 runs scored, six doubles, 17 RBI, 18 walks, and 37 stolen bases. The Wildcats ended the season with a 25-25-1 overall record, and a 10-16 mark in Big East Conference play.