Villanova waited until extra innings to take control Friday night.
The Wildcats erupted for six runs in the 10th inning and pulled away for an 11-5 victory over Lipscomb in the opener of a three-game series at Ken Dugan Field.
Villanova (2-2) leaned on timely power and patient at-bats, drawing nine walks and collecting 11 hits in a game that swung dramatically late.
For the second straight series, the Wildcats struck first. Senior Collin Quintano, continuing his torrid start, ripped a first-inning double to drive in the game’s opening run. Lipscomb answered in the bottom half and added single runs in the second and fourth to build a 3-1 lead.
Junior right-hander Jake Francis delivered another steady outing, working 5 2/3 innings and allowing three runs on 10 hits while throwing just 68 pitches. He kept Villanova within striking distance before turning the ball over to the bullpen.
The Wildcats found their spark again in the seventh.
After plating four runs in the seventh inning on Opening Day against FIU, Villanova repeated the formula. Michael Whooley launched a two-run home run to left-center to tie the game at 4-4. Brayden Leonard followed with an RBI to give Villanova the lead, and Quintano added a clutch single to left to push the advantage to 5-3.
Lipscomb responded in the eighth when Kenealey tied the game with a two-run homer, sending the contest to extra innings at 5-5.
The 10th belonged entirely to Villanova.
Austin Lemon drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Wildcats a 6-5 lead. Leonard added a two-run single, and Quintano delivered the decisive blow — a three-run home run that capped the six-run frame and extended the margin to 11-5.
Quintano finished 3 for 4 with five RBIs and now has homered in three straight games, tallying three home runs and eight RBIs through four contests. Leonard went 3 for 6 with three RBIs, and Whooley added three hits and two runs scored.
Senior left-hander Bobby Finn (1-0) closed it out, retiring the Bison in order in the bottom of the 10th and striking out three to secure the win.
Villanova did not commit an error and recorded seven two-out RBIs in the victory.
The Wildcats will look to build on the momentum Saturday afternoon in Game 2 of the series.
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