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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 The Villanova University baseball team remains in the Sunshine State this week for a midweek matchup at North Florida on Wednesday, March 4 (6:05 p.m.), before opening a three-game weekend series at Florida A&M beginning Friday, March 6 (4:00 p.m.).
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THIS WEEK<\/p>\n
\n\tNorth Florida \u2013 Wednesday, March 4 | 6:05 p.m.
\n\tFlorida A&M \u2013 Friday, March 6 | 4:00 p.m.
\n\tFlorida A&M \u2013 Saturday, March 7 | 2:00 p.m.
\n\tFlorida A&M \u2013 Sunday, March 8 | 1:00 p.m.
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LAST TIME OUT LEMON & FREITAG PRODUCE SERIES HISTORY<\/p>\n
SHARP IN THE FIELD SCOUTING NORTH FLORIDA SCOUTING FLORIDA A&M HOME OPENER UPDATE
\nVillanova dropped all three games in its third series of the season on the road at Florida Atlantic.
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\n\tThe Wildcats fell 11-4 in the opener after FAU jumped out to a five-run lead and never relinquished control.
\n\tOn Saturday, Villanova struck first in the third inning when freshman Larry Hotaling<\/a> doubled to right field to give the ‘Cats the early edge. The Owls answered in the bottom half of the frame and broke the game open with a seven-run seventh inning en route to an 11-5 win.
\n\tIn the finale, FAU plated six runs in the first and four in the second to seize early momentum. Villanova chipped away behind two RBI from Austin Lemon<\/a> but ultimately fell 15-5.
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\nSophomores Austin Lemon<\/a> and John Freitag<\/a> provided a bright spot offensively for the Wildcats.
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\n\tLemon recorded six hits across the three games and drove in three runs, including a two-RBI performance in Sunday’s finale.
\n\tFreitag also tallied three RBI on two hits during the series.
\n\tVillanova scored 14 runs at FAU, with Lemon and Freitag accounting for six of them.
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\n\tVillanova is 1-2 all-time against North Florida, with all three previous meetings taking place in Florida.
\n\tThis weekend marks the first-ever meeting between Villanova and Florida A&M.
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\nVillanova has continued to show consistency defensively in the early part of the season.
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\n\tThe Wildcats committed just two errors in three games at FAU.
\n\tVU turned in two error-free performances during the series.
\n\tAfter a shaky opener at FIU, the ‘Cats have settled in defensively and have committed nine errors on the season.
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\nNorth Florida enters the week with an 8-5 record after posting a 27-29 mark in 2025, including a 15-15 ASUN finish.
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\n\tThe Eagles are riding a three-game winning streak after sweeping Presbyterian.
\n\tUNF has also claimed series wins over Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac and owns a victory over Florida A&M.
\n\tMatthew Farner has been red-hot at the plate, hitting over .400 with six home runs and 17 RBI.
\n\tOn the mound, Stone Dakota is 3-0 with 21 strikeouts in 12 scoreless innings this season.
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\nFlorida A&M went 33-25 overall and 24-6 in SWAC play last season before finishing as SWAC runner-up.
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\n\tThe Rattlers are 3-8 to begin the 2026 campaign.
\n\tTheir wins have come against Eastern Illinois and twice against Central Connecticut State.
\n\tJusten Crews leads the offense, batting over .300 with 12 hits on the season.
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\nDue to inclement weather, Villanova’s home opener against Towson has been rescheduled for May 6 at 3:05 p.m.
\nThe Wildcats will now open their home schedule on March 10 against La Salle at 3:30 p.m.
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