PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – The La Salle University baseball team dropped a 5-2 midweek decision at Villanova on Tuesday in a battle of Philadelphia Big 5 rivals.
 
The Explorers (14-30) had numerous opportunities to add to their run total but left eight runners stranded.
 
Neither team could take advantage with men on base in the early going, as the two squads left a combined total of ten runners stranded before Villanova finally capitalized on an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning for the first run.
 
La Salle evened the score at 1-1 in the fifth when sophomore Dylan Evans was picked off, allowing senior Austin Constantini to score on the throw.
 
However, Villanova quickly answered in the bottom half of the frame on a two-run double by JP Radvany to go on top 3-1.
 
The Explorers made it a one-run game in the sixth, as sophomore Ryan Guckin scored on an RBI groundout by redshirt sophomore Dillon Malandro. But the Wildcats once again had an answer, pushing the advantage to 5-2 after seven innings.
 
Redshirt freshman Matt Patricio was solid in his first career start, allowing only one run on four hits with a career-best five strikeouts. Constantini pitched two scoreless, hitless innings in relief with a strikeout as well. Senior Brian Dudeck went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Explorers.
 
La Salle is right back in action on Wednesday, traveling to LIU Brooklyn for a 3 p.m. contest.