Bobby Olsen
Greg Carroccio/Sideline Photos
1
NJIT NJIT 7-9
2
Winner Villanova VU 9-7
NJIT NJIT
7-9
1
Final
2
Villanova VU
9-7
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
NJIT NJIT 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 2
Villanova VU 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 0

W: Francis, Jake (3-0) L: Anzaldi, Anthony (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Ben Metcalf

Olsen Shines as Villanova Defeats NJIT on a Walk-Off Single

Jason Neff’s single in the bottom of the ninth got away from the NJIT left fielder, allowing Michael Whooley to score and seal the 2-1 win for the Wildcats

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – A single by Jason Neff scored the game-winning run after an error in the outfield as the Villanova University baseball team defeated NJIT, 2-1, on Friday afternoon (March 14) at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. Right-handed pitcher Bobby Olsen threw 8.0 innings of one-run ball, recording a season-high nine strikeouts.
 
At the plate, Neff went 2-for-4 in his fourth straight multi-hit game. He also drove in his team-best 24th RBI of the season. Jake Francis earned his team-leading third win of the season after relieving Olsen in the top of the ninth.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
A pair of doubles for the Highlanders (7-9) scored the first run of the game in the top of the first, giving NJIT an early 1-0 lead.
 
After a scoreless second inning, the Wildcats (9-7) answered with an RBI single by Neff in the bottom of the third, evening the score at 1-1.
 
Olsen and NJIT's Holden deJong dueled over the next five innings, bringing both offenses to a screeching halt due to their impressive performances.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, deJong's last inning of work, the Wildcats managed to load the bases with two outs. However, pinch hitter Collin Quintano grounded into a fielder's choice to keep the score deadlocked at one run apiece. DeJong finished the day with 7.0 innings pitched, one run and three hits allowed.
 
Francis relieved Olsen in the top of the ninth. NJIT pinch runner Jake Meyers managed to reach third base with two outs, but Francis struck out Highlander third baseman Michael Doyle to end the inning and keep the game tied heading into the bottom half of the ninth.
 
After the first two Villanova batters were retired in the bottom of the ninth inning, Michael Whooley ripped a base hit into right field with a full count, giving the Wildcats at least one more chance to avoid extra innings. Then, Neff hit a 2-2 pitch into left field for another single. Whooley appeared to slow up at second base before the ball bounced past the NJIT left fielder, bringing Whooley all the way home and sealing the 2-1 win for Villanova.
 
Francis improved to 3-0 on the season, while NJIT's Anthony Anzaldi fell to 0-1.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
  • Villanova's last walk off occurred on April 21, 2024, when Neff delivered an RBI single to clinch a BIG EAST series against Creighton.
  • With his single in the bottom of the ninth, Whooley extended his hitting streak to six games.
  • Olsen's season opponent batting average of .205 would rank eighth all-time among Wildcats. His K/9 of 9.81 would rank in the top 20 in the Villanova record books.
 
UP NEXT
Villanova will face NJIT in game two of three on Saturday afternoon (March 15) at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. The game will begin at 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on FloSports.
 
 
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