For just the second time in program history, the Wildcats have strung together five straight series wins, capping off the latest with a resounding 10-3 victory over NJIT on Sunday afternoon at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. And here’s the kicker—they didn’t even hit their 10th win last season until April 13.
The Wildcats (10-8) have now taken two out of three from Winthrop, Lipscomb, South Florida, and NJIT this year—plus a season-ending series win over Xavier in 2024. Next up? A Wednesday matinee against Princeton (March 19, 3 p.m.), wrapping up a five-game home stand. Catch it live on FloSports.
Now, about Sunday’s fireworks… Freshman Brayden Leonard made sure this one wouldn’t be close, launching a grand slam in the third inning as part of a two-hit, four-RBI day. Not to be outdone, fellow first-year JoJo Montgomery turned his birthday into a personal highlight reel—going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI and swiping a pair of bases.
And then there was the pitching. Jake Francis and Alec Sachais practically shared the game, with Francis tossing 4.1 innings on 67 pitches before Sachais took over for the final 4.2, holding NJIT (8-10) scoreless while allowing just three hits and a walk.
Five straight series wins? A pair of freshmen stealing the show? A 10-win mark reached a full month earlier than last year? Might be time to start paying attention to these Wildcats.
In Other D-I Action
Saint Joseph’s couldn’t hold an early lead on Sunday, falling to Saint Louis, 8-4, in the series finale at the Billiken Sports Center. The Hawks (6-12, 1-2 A-10) jumped ahead in the first with a Carson Applegate solo homer and doubled the lead in the third on a Colin Myers sac fly. But the Billikens (10-9, 2-1 A-10) broke it open with five two-out runs in the fifth, highlighted by a three-run blast from Brenden Stressler. Saint Louis added three more runs over the next two frames before Joey Pagano’s two-run homer in the ninth trimmed the final margin. Josh Cunningham earned the win with seven solid innings, while Nathan Stein took the loss for the Hawks. St. Joseph's returns home to face Delaware on Tuesday before an A-10 series against Richmond this weekend.
