TicketsApril 28, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Villanova scored four runs in the eighth inning, riding the outburst to an 8-7 win over Cincinnati in game two of a three-game BIG EAST series at Marge Schott Stadium. The Villanova triumph evens the series at a game apiece and sets up the rubber game for Sunday at 1 p.m.
Another bullpen breakdown cost the Bearcats a potential victory and drops the squad's record to 23-19 overall and 8-8 in BIG EAST play. Despite the setback, UC remains in sole possession of sixth place in the league standings. Villanova keeps its BIG EAST Tournament aspirations alive, improving to 21-19 overall and 6-11 in conference action.
After fighting back from a 3-2 deficit they faced most of the game, Cincinnati watched Villanova bat around in the eighth inning, knocking reliever Nick Buscemi (0-3) out of the game after two-thirds of an inning. The Wildcats finished the go-ahead inning with five hits and then turned the game over to Josh Eidell who registered the final six outs for his second save of the year.
Tony Campana had another big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and his 50th stolen base of the year. Adam Yeager added two hits and Neall French two RBI for the Bearcats.
As they had on Friday night, UC got a first inning run against Villanova starter Jordan Ellis to go in front early, 1-0. Campana led the inning off with an infield single, went to third on a Yeager base hit and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Josh Harrison.
The teams would trade runs in the second with a Gus Guida RBI single knotting the game at one in the top of the frame. The bottom of the inning saw Brian Szarmach knock a one out double and later score on an Ellis wild pitch.
The Wildcats assumed their first lead of the day in the third, taking advantage of a wild streak by UC starter Steve Blevins. The sophomore walked three straight hitters, paving the way for Jim Gillin to rip a two-run single through the left side.
The score would remain 3-2 Wildcats until the last of the sixth when the Bearcats put up a three spot to go back in front. With just one out and runners on first and second, Yeager lined a shot to left that Justin Benckso made a diving stab at but missed. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, the ball rolled into the home bullpen for a ground rule double and one UC run instead of two. One out after Yeager's hit, French knocked both runners home with a two-run single back up the middle.
Villanova got one of the runs back in the top of the seventh, cutting the score to 6-4 on an RBI single by Dan Terpak. A fit of wildness by Wildcat reliever Bill Hoffman benefited the Bearcats in the bottom of the inning as he uncorked three wild pitches to lead to one UC run. After a 40 minute delay for rain and lightning, Campana came through with an RBI single to give UC some breathing room at 7-4.
Following the delay, the Bearcats turned the ball over to Buscemi who was outstanding for much of his start earlier this week against Xavier. The senior couldn't find the same success on Saturday however, as two-out, two-run singles by Joe Cotter and Terpak pushed the visitors in front to stay.
Terpak had a big day to lead the Villanova offense, finishing with two hits and three RBI. Gillin and Joe Rosati added two hits each. UC did another good job containing the BIG EAST's second leading hitter, Derek Shunk, who went 1-for-4 and is just 2-for-7 in the series.
The pitching victory went to Villanova reliever Brian Streilein who pitched just one-third of an inning, but improves to 3-1 on the year.
The all important rubber game of the series will get underway at 1 p.m. tomorrow. John Baird will take the hill for Cincinnati against Villanova's Ryan Wendler.