Box Score
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - Villanova scored twice in the sixth inning to break open a 1-1 deadlock on its way to a 4-2 win over Manhattan on Friday.
Manhattan starter Joey Rocchietti allowed just one run on four hits in five innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out three. He allowed the Jaspers to take a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Brendan Slattery that scored Jose Carrera, who had doubled with one out.
Villanova tied the game 1-1 in the fifth, then took a 3-1 advantage in the sixth, scoring two runs against Manhattan reliever Chris Liquori. Max Beermann's solo home run to lead off the eighth inning gave the Wildcats a 4-1 advantage.
In the ninth, the Jaspers got a run closer. Carrera singled with one out and stole second base, his third swipe of the game. Two batters later, Slattery drew a walk and Vin Teixeira ripped the first pitch he saw into left field to score Carrera and push the tying run into scoring position.
Villanova called upon closer Matt Meurer with two on and two outs in the ninth to get the save and Meurer ended the game with a strikeout to give the Wildcats the 4-2 win.
Carrera went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three stolen bases. Slattery and Mikey Miranda each had two hits in three at-bats for the Jaspers, who out-hit the Wildcats 10-8.
Manhattan and Villanova will meet again on Saturday, May 10 at 1:15 p.m. in the second game of the series.