PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — The Villanova baseball team returns home on Tuesday, April 14, to host Bucknell in a midweek matchup at Villanova Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 3:35 p.m. THIS WEEK

• Tuesday, April 14 — vs. Bucknell, 3:35 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
Villanova enters Tuesday's contest following a three-game BIG EAST series at Xavier, where the Wildcats dropped all three games at Hayden Field.

In the series opener, Villanova struck first in the opening inning as John Frietag advanced Austin Lemon on a fielder's choice to take a 1-0 lead. Xavier responded with seven unanswered runs over the next six innings. The Wildcats mounted a rally in the seventh, scoring three runs. Lemon delivered an RBI double down the left field line, Jack Roventini came home on a passed ball, and Brayden Leonard added an RBI groundout. Despite the late push, Villanova fell 8-4.

Game two saw Villanova jump out to a commanding early lead, scoring the first six runs of the game. Mark Gialluisi highlighted the surge with a solo home run, while Collin Quintano added a two-RBI single. After extending the lead to 7-1 on a wild pitch that scored Larry Hotaling, Xavier began to chip away. The Musketeers eventually rallied for three runs in the ninth inning, walking it off for a 9-7 victory to clinch the series.

In the finale, Hotaling tied the game at one with a solo home run in the second inning. The score remained even until the sixth, when Xavier broke through with a six-run inning to take control. Trailing 9-1 in the ninth, Villanova showed resilience, scoring five runs behind RBI efforts from Leonard and Quintano. The comeback fell short, as the Wildcats dropped the finale, 9-6.
  VILLANOVA LEADERS
Collin Quintano has led Villanova offensively, pacing the team in batting average (.327), home runs (7), and RBIs (30). The senior added eight RBIs across four games last week.

Brayden Leonard has been a consistent presence at the plate, leading the team with 35 hits and putting together a double-digit hitting streak earlier this season.
On the mound, senior Graham Moore has been strong, entering the week with a 3.95 ERA and a 2-0 record. He has not allowed an earned run over his last nine innings, striking out seven during that span.
  SERIES HISTORY
Villanova holds a 26-12 advantage in the all-time series against Bucknell, including a 13-4 record at Villanova Ballpark. Last season, the Wildcats earned an 11-1 victory in a seven-inning game.
  SCOUTING BUCKNELL
Bucknell enters the matchup with a 20-14 overall record and a 13-3 mark in Patriot League play.

Garrett Mathias leads the Bison with 32 RBIs while batting .302 and adding six home runs. On the mound, Hadley Maxwell has been dominant, posting a 1.65 ERA across 14 appearances this season.
  UP NEXT
Villanova continues BIG EAST play this weekend, hosting Creighton in a three-game series beginning Friday, April 17, at 3:05 p.m.