April 27, 2002

Box Score

PITTSBURGH, PA. - In the second game of a Saturday Big East doubleheader at Trees Field in Pittsburgh, the Villanova baseball team rode a strong pitching performance by junior Brian Slocum and the bat of senior first baseman Rob Cafiero to an 8-2 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. The win improves the Wildcats' record to 26-17 overall and 9-9 in conference play. The Panthers fall to 24-12-1 overall and 7-9 in Big East action.

Pittsburgh took the first lead for the second straight game, scoring one run off of Slocum in the bottom of the first inning. He allowed a single by centerfielder Tony Railing and a double by leftfielder Stuart Rycaceski to begin the inning. The Panthers would score two batters later on a fielder's choice RBI by designated hitter Brad Rea to take a 1-0 lead. Slocum was able to strike out rightfielder P.J. Hiser and get third baseman Rolando Bello to groundout to first to end the inning with `Cats only down by a 1-0 margin.

Villanova would makeup the deficit quickly as third baseman Brendan Mannix hit a leadoff solo home run off of Panthers' starter Don Rhoten to begin the second inning. Mannix's home run was his ninth of the season and tied the game at 1-1.

The Wildcats took their first lead just one inning later. Villanova centerfielder Chris Graziano led the third inning off with a walk. He stole second for his 35th theft of the season, and went to third on a groundout by rightfielder Brian Hearne. Cafiero then doubled down the left-field line to score Graziano ad give the `Cats a 2-1 advantage.

After two scoreless innings by Slocum, the Panthers rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth as P.J. Hiser hit a 1-0 pitch by the Villanova right-hander over the left-field wall for a home run. Hiser's long ball tied the game at 2-2 after four innings.

Slocum's arm carried the Wildcats into the seventh inning with the game still tied. He struck out three batters in the fifth and sixth innings combined to strand Pittsburgh runners and keep the game knotted at 2-2.

Villanova pulled ahead in the top of the seventh inning due to some clutch two-out hitting. Shortstop Brian Trotta was hit by pitch to begin the seventh. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by catcher Marshall Canosa, but still stood at second base with two outs and the Wildcats' speedy centerfielder at the plate. Graziano hit the first pitch by Rhoten off the left-center field wall for a triple, scoring Trotta to give Villanova a 3-2 lead.

Slocum got the first two Pittsburgh batters in the eighth, but walked Bello with two outs in the inning. Wildcat closer James Russell came on in relief of Slocum and struck out shortstop Bryan Spamer to end the eighth inning with Villanova still clinging to a 3-2 advantage.

The Wildcats closed the game out with a monster ninth inning, scoring five times on three hits and a Panther error. Canosa scored the inning's first run on a throwing error by Pittsburgh first baseman Brant Colamarino. With the bases loaded and no out outs, Cafiero hammered a 2-1 pitch by Panther reliever Jeff Barnyak, sending it sailing over the left field wall for a grand slam. The home run was his 12th of the season and gave Villanova an 8-2 lead.

Russell closed out the bottom of the ninth inning with a little help from second baseman Brendan Trainor, whose diving catch of a line drive led to a 6-4 double play for the first two outs. Russell struck out centerfielder Tony Railing on three pitches to end the game, as the Wildcats took the 8-2 game two victory.

Slocum got the win to improve to 3-2, allowing just two runs on seven hits in 7.2 innings, striking out seven and walking five. Russell came on the earn his 13th save. He ranks second in the nation in that category.

Rhoten (3-3) took the loss for Pittsburgh, giving up three runs on six hits in seven innings, striking out three and walking four.

Cafiero went two-for-five with a double, home run and five RBI at the plate for the Wildcats. Mannix and leftfielder Brian Newbold each had two hits as well for Villanova. With a one-for-five game, Hearne increased his hitting streak to 10 games.

Villanova and Pittsburgh will wind down the series on Sunday, April 28, facing off in game three at 12:00 p.m.