April 16, 2008
Box Score
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - Lafayette was forced to use six different pitchers in a 14-6 loss to Villanova on Wednesday afternoon. Despite scoring three runs before Villanova had a chance to bat, the Leopards could manage just seven hits off of Wildcat pitching. Shortstop Daniel Bierce was the lone Lafayette player to finish with multiple hits, as he went 2-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI.
Lafayette's offense gave starting pitcher Ryan Hanna three runs of support before he even took the mound. Rob Froio and Bierce led off the game with singles and Jeff Butler walked to load the bases. First baseman Joe Ezekiel reached on a fielder's choice but a throwing error by Villanova third baseman Dain Hall scored Froio and Bierce for a 2-0 Lafayette lead. Justin Shepherd then ground into a double play to plate Butler, making the score 3-0.
Hanna loaded the bases with in the bottom of the second after allowing back-to-back, one out singles and a walk. The sophomore got Joe Rosati to strike out swinging for the second out but hit Derek Shunk to force in a run. Dan Terpak followed with a two-RBI single up the middle to tie the game at three. Head coach Joe Kinney called on his bullpen, bringing in freshman Joseph Verdon, who got James Dolbier to fly out and end the inning.
Villanova took a 7-3 lead in the bottom of the third when Wesley Borden led off the inning with a solo home run to right centerfield. Hall then singled to center, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Matt McFolling sacrifice fly to make the score 5-3. After giving up two more hits, Brad Woodfield relieved Verdon and surrendered RBI singles to Shunk and Terpak for a 7-3 Villanova lead.
The Wildcats scored another run in the fourth for an 8-3 edge. Sophomore Tyler Chromey came on to pitch in the bottom of the fifth and put the first two runners on base. A balk scored a run and his second walk of the inning forced Kinney to make another call to his bullpen, this time bringing in senior Jason Morytko. Morytko gave up a RBI groundout to Dolbier before Hall hit a two run home run to left field to make it a 12-3 ballgame.
Lafayette's offense finally broke through for three runs in the seventh. Matt Hall and Tom Hayes drew leadoff walks and Ian McCutcheon doubled down the right field line to score Hall. Froio's groundout to shortstop scored Hayes and Bierce added a RBI single for a 12-6 score.
Villanova got one run back in the bottom of the inning with a RBI single by Gus Guida off Steve Roberts, who entered the game with two outs inning the inning. The Wildcats tacked on their 14th and final run after an error by first baseman Adam McMahon.
Lafayette returns to Patriot League play this weekend with a four game road series at Holy Cross on Saturday and Sunday. Doubleheaders are scheduled for both days, beginning at 12 p.m.
