The Connecticut native pieced together an outstanding freshman campaign, hitting .302 with a team-high 54 hits. He reached base safely in 42 of 49 games and collected at least two hits in a contest 13 times. When not in the infield he spent time on the mound, making 16 appearances with 32 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings of work.
Joining Lorusso as a member of the preseason All-Big East Team is right-handed sophomore Gordon Graceffo. The Cranford, New Jersey, native led the Villanova pitching staff last season with 13 starts while finishing 3-8 with a 4.33 ERA. He excelled this past summer in the NECBL, posting a 3.10 ERA over 49 1/3 innings while notching 47 strikeouts.
The Wildcats struggled to a 13-38 record last year and finished just 4-13 in Big East play, however, the roster was young and leaned heavily on underclassmen. Now with a little experience, it's likely the Wildcats improve upon their win total from a year ago.
Villanova was picked to finish sixth in the 2020 Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll. The club opens the 2020 season on February 14 with a series at Arizona State.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR
