Jack Kelley
7
Winner Butler BUTLER 10-20
5
Villanova VILLANOV 10-16
Winner
Butler BUTLER
10-20
7
Final
5
Villanova VILLANOV
10-16
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Butler BUTLER 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 4 7 6 1
Villanova VILLANOV 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 5 9 1

W: Brock Buckley (2-5) L: Parkinson, Will (2-4)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Kelley Fans Nine, but Wildcats Drop Game Two to Butler

Villanova Falls In Tight Match to Butler, 7-5, On Friday

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – The Villanova baseball team dropped game two of its three-game series to Butler, 7-5, on Friday, April 3.

Villanova struck first in the bottom of the second inning when senior Collin Quintano launched a solo home run—his seventh of the season—to give the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead.

Butler responded in the very next frame. In the top of the third, Logan Crook lined a single into center field to drive in a run and even the score at 1-1.

Graduate student Jack Kelley got the start on the mound for Villanova and turned in an impressive outing. Kelley worked six strong innings, allowing just three runs on two hits while striking out a season-high nine batters—the most by a Wildcat pitcher in a game this season. Two of Butler's runs came on a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

The Wildcats regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to freshman Jack Roventini. With the game tied, Roventini ripped a triple to center field to score Aidan Barry, who raced all the way around from first on a close play at the plate.

Once again, Butler had an answer. Gavin Gilmore delivered a two-run home run in the top of the sixth, giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 advantage on just their second hit of the game.

Villanova quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. Quintano picked up his second RBI of the day to tie the game, and redshirt sophomore Mark Gialluisi followed with an RBI single through the left side to put the Wildcats back in front, 4-3.

In the eighth, Villanova added an insurance run. Pinch runner Trent Toole showcased heads-up baserunning, scoring all the way from second on an error to extend the Wildcats' lead to 5-3 heading into the ninth.

Butler rallied in the final frame, erupting for four runs to take control. Will White tied the game with a two-run home run to right, and Logan Baker followed with a go-ahead solo shot to give the Bulldogs the lead. Later in the inning, Gilmore drew a bases-loaded walk to push the advantage to 7-5.

Villanova was unable to respond in the bottom of the ninth, going down in order as Butler secured the win and clinched the series.

The Wildcats fall to 7-5 in game two, dropping their second conference contest of the season.

Up Next: Villanova will wrap up its conference series against Butler on Saturday, with first pitch set for 12:05 p.m.

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