April 28, 1999

In area baseball action on Tuesday, April 27, the Villanova University baseball team traveled into Philadelphia and defeated Philadelphia Textile, jumping out to a early 8-1 lead and holding off the Rams in the final inning to take an 11-9 victory. With the win, the Wildcats matched their record from last season at 26-21-1.

Villanova scored three runs in the first inning and two runs in both the third and fourth inning, to open up a commanding 7-1 lead. With Textile trailing 8-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Rams began to rally. Textile would go on to score two runs in each of the last four inning to pull to within 11-9, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Wildcat junior Drew Kirchner then relieved fellow junior Brian Manning, and got the final out on a line drive to rightfield by Rams' leftfielder Todd Huber.

Leading Villanova at the plate was senior shortstop Pat Kane, who went a perfect three-for-three with a double and an RBI. Sophomore leftfielder Dave Pizzini matched Kane's three hit effort with three hits of his own. Pizzini went three-for-four with one run scored. Freshman first baseman Rob Cafiero was outstanding as well, going one-for-two with a double, one run scored and two RBI. Cafiero currently leads the team in RBI with 66. Pat Clark, Brian Hearne and Nick Piantek also had two hits apiece for the Wildcats.

Villanova will resume action on May 8-9, hosting West Virginia for their final home Big East weekend. The Wildcats play the Mountaineers for one game on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., and a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 12:00 noon.