PHILADELPHIA –The La Salle baseball team couldn't overcome an early deficit as they dropped their home opener 7-3 to the Villanova Wildcats on Wednesday at Hank DeVincent Field.
 
The Wildcats got out to a 7-0 lead against Tom Fazzini (L, 0-1), although all of the runs were unearned after a pair of errors. Villanova went up 1-0 in the first on a Max Beerman RBI groundout before scoring six times in the top of the 2^nd.
 
The Explorers got a run back in the 5^th when Ryan Welling led off the inning with a solo homer to left for his third round tripper of the season.
 
Justin Korenblatt doubled in the 6^th and later scored on a Villanova throwing error before Cameron Johsnon made it 7-3 with an RBI single to score Josh Savakinus in the 7^th. Johnson finished 2-for-5 and has now hit safely in 18 straight games dating back to last season. 

Villanova starter Mike Sgaramella (W, 2-1) tossed six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out 10 Explorers. 
 
The La Salles bullpen tossed seven scoreless innings to give the Explorers a shot at a comeback, allowing just two hits over the final seven frames. James Santore entered in the 3^rd and allowed just one hit over four shutout frames before Andrew Craig and Greg Krug combined for the final three innings.  
 
The Explorers are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they host the Niagara Purple Eagles at 3 p.m.