PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Villanova softball team is set to play in its final away BIG EAST series of the season versus Providence at Glay Field Friday through Sunday. 

The 'Cats (11-35, 5-13 BIG EAST) are out of BIG EAST tournament contention, but have won two of their last three games heading into the weekend against the conference-leading Friars (23-15, 12-3).

While the two teams find themselves on opposite ends of the standings in 2026, it has been Villanova who have controlled the matchup the last several years, beating Providence in 17 of the teams' last 18 matchups. 

VU won the series last season with the Friars, but dropped the final game at home 10-9 in nine innings. 

Maranda Runco enters the weekend with nine home runs this season and 30 in her career. Her home run April 22 versus Penn put her within one of Ryan Henry for fourth place in career home runs in program history. 

The slugging Runco has often been pitched around in conference play, leading BIG EAST in walks with 42. 

Runco contributed one of five Villanova home runs versus the Quakers in a midweek Philly rivalry tilt that the 'Cats won 16-11. 

The five home runs were tied for the most home runs in a single game in program history, a feat the 'Cats have pulled off seven previous times. The most recent instance prior to Wednesday was April 13, 2025 versus DePaul. 

Providence comes into the weekend having not lost a BIG EAST series in 2026. The Friars are led by Cameron Dunn, who has slashed .423/.883/.532 and hit 14 home runs, good for second in the conference. 

Alyssa Twomey leads the Providence pitching staff, holding a 9-1 record and 3.29 ERA with 66 innings pitched. 

The series opener will be streamed on ESPN+ Friday with the following two games streaming via FriarsLive. Live stats will be available for all three games via SideArm.