April 3, 2003

Final Stats

BROOKLIN, MASS. - Taking on Boston College and Big East Preseason Pitcher of the Year Chris Lambert on a cold morning at Parsons Field in Brookline, Mass., on Thursday, April 3, the Villanova baseball team defeated the Eagles, 3-1, in game one of a Big East doubleheader. Wildcats' junior third baseman Danny Poydenis had two hits and one RBI to extend his hitting streak to 15 games, and pitchers Adrian Schau and Mike Ciccotelli combined on a three hitter as the `Cats defeated one of the nation's top young pitchers in Lambert. With the win, Villanova improves to 7-14 overall and 2-4 in the Big East. Boston College falls to 13-10 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

In the second inning, the Eagles broke open the game's scoring putting one run on the scoreboard off of Schau to take a 1-0 advantage. First baseman Ryan Morgan led off with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Schau on a failed pickoff attempt. After moving to third on a groundout one batter later, Morgan scored the contest's first run (an unearned run) on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Vinny Scavone.

The Wildcat offense rallied in the top of the fourth inning. Poydenis doubled down the left field line to get the inning started for Villanova. The next batter, leftfielder Brian Newbold, reached on a bunt single to advance Poydenis to third with no outs. Designated hitter Ryan Crammer tied the game at 1-1 with a RBI groundout to second to score Poydenis. The Wildcats took their first lead thanks to some crafty baserunning. Lambert walked Trotta on a 3-2 count. Newbold broke for third on the pitch and Eagles' catcher Garrett Greer overthrew the bag allowing the go-ahead run to score as Villanova claimed a 2-1 lead.

One inning later, the Wildcats added to their lead. Centerfielder Chris Graziano walked with two outs in the fifth, stole second, and scored one batter later on an RBI single by Poydenis to give Villanova a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Ciccotelli came on in relief of Schau with runners at first and second and no outs. He proceeded to set down the heart of the BC lineup in order to get out of the jam and help maintain the `Cats' 3-1 lead.

With just one more chance for the Eagles in the bottom of the seventh inning, Ciccotelli closed the door on any comeback attempt. After striking out Morgan and Michael Flynn for the first two outs of the inning, Ciccotelli got pinch hitter Jason Delaney to groundout to short to end the game.

Schau (1-3) got the win for the `Cats, allowing just one unearned run on three hits in five innings, striking out three and walking one. Ciccotelli pitched the final two innings, striking out three, to earn his third save of the year.

Getting the loss on the mound, his first of the season, was Lambert who falls to 3-1. He struck out nine but allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks in seven innings.

At the plate for the Wildcats, Poydenis went two-for-three with a run score and an RBI. Newbold and Trotta also had hits for Villanova, while Crammer added an RBI.