EASTON, Pa. – The Lafayette baseball team was defeated by Villanova, 17-5, on Tuesday at Kamine Stadium. The Wildcats used an 11-run top of the ninth to pull away from the Leopards, after a back-and-forth contest during the first eight innings of play.

The Wildcats got on the board first, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning on three walks and a hit-by-pitch, all with the bases loaded.

Lafayette struck back in the second. Freshman Teddy Cashman singled to start the frame and then was followed by junior Ben Petrone, who singled to right field. Both Cashman and Petrone came around to score on an error by the Wildcats' second baseman. Freshman Matt Colella lined an RBI-single to left field, scoring sophomore Charlie Chropuvka and making the tally 4-3.

Villanova added another run in the third on a bases-loaded walk, to make the score 5-3.

In the fourth, the Leopards tied the game. Petrone doubled to right center field and two batters later, senior Michael Mallas reached base on a bunt-single. Lafayette made the score 5-4 on a double steal.
The Leopards then tied the game on an RBI-double down the left field line by sophomore Ethan Swidler that scored Mallas and tied the game, 5-5.

The Wildcats regained the lead in the top of the seventh on an RBI-single to right center field, and then broke the game open in the top of the ninth, scoring 11 runs in the inning. 

Steven Turzai collected the win for the Wildcats, not giving up a hit or a run and recording a strikeout, in 1.2 innings of action. Junior Corey Savedoff took the loss for the Leopards, allowing one run and three hits, while striking out three, in three innings of work.

The Leopards are next in action on Wednesday when they travel to rival Lehigh for a game starting at noon. The game was originally scheduled 3 p.m., but moved up due to expected inclement weather.