|
|
|
 My Site News |
|
 | | The 2005 Wildcats: AA Division Champs! |  |
Wednesday, May 18
Comerica Bound!
|  | | Field of Dreams? |
|
The Wildcats traveled to a neutral diamond in Madison Heights and defeated Birmingham Brother Rice in a Catholic League A-B semi-final game 2-1 today. With the win, Villanova advances to the league championship game at Comerica Park on Thursday, May 26 at 8:00 pm.
Brother Rice took the lead in the top of the second with on a walk, an error and a double play on a bunt.
The Wildcats roared back in the third inning. Dale Kryway and Bobby Daragon led off the inning with singles. After a pickoff and a strikeout, a promising inning looked squandered. But junior centerfielder Brian Simone hit the first pitch he saw over the 360 foot sign in centerfield for a critical 2-run home run.
That blast proved to be all that the Wildcat pitching staff would need. Junior lefty Karl Guthrie earned the start, pitching 4 strong innings to pick up the victory. Guthrie did not allow a hit, striking out 7 batters while issuing 3 walks. Senior southpaw Steve Teno earned the save with 3 innings of shutout ball, allowing 2 hits and striking out 3.
This game helped the Wildcats earn some measure of revenge against Brother Rice, who had eliminated Villanova in the semi-finals each of the previous two seasons.
At Comerica, the Wildcats will face their division rival, Dearborn Divine Child, who advanced with a 5-2 semi-final win over Redford Catholic Central. The Falcons are two-time defending Catholic League champions, and the defending state Division II champions. The Wildcats and Falcons split their 4 games this year.
Saturday, May 7
Wildcats Clinch AA Division Title
With a pair of shutout victories at Riverview Gabriel Richard today (11-0, 7-0), Villanova finished regular season play with a 14-2 record and clinched first place in the Detroit Catholic League's AA Division.
Propelled by a deep and talented pitching staff and excellent team defence, the Wildcats' 14 victories included 9 shutouts.
The Wildcats will play Brother Rice of the Central Division in a Catholic League A/B semi-final on Wednesday May 18th at Bishop Foley. Game time is 4:30 pm.
Should Villanova win that game, they would advance to the Catholic League championship game at Comerica Park on Thursday, May 26th at 8:00 pm.
Picco Signs With Yankees
Southpaw pitcher John Picco reached agreement with the New York Yankees after being selected in the fifteenth round of the Amateur Draft last June. He will be spending some time in September at a camp with the Yankees in Florida, and then he will report to spring training in February.
LATEST WILDCAT NEWS
espn.wav
Big Summer of Signings for Wildcats
The Wildcats baseball program had its biggest summer ever of graduate activity. Five recent graduates of the Villanova family will be pursuing the next level of their baseball careers this fall.
Southpaw pitcher John Picco reached agreement with the New York Yankees after being selected in the fifteenth round of the Amateur Draft last June. He will report to spring training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in February.
Centerfielder/pitcher Chris Cerchie accepted a scholarship offer from Niagara University in Buffalo, New York. He will study pre-med at Niagara, and expects to see significant playing time as a freshman since 14 players graduated from that team the previous spring.
Infielder Gerry Dufour accepted a scholarship from Oakland University, in the metropolitan Detroit area. He plans to study French and criminology. He has been redshirted this year, and will get an opportunity to compete for playing time at second and third base next year.
OAC graduate Brian Ouellette, who last played for the Wildcats in 2000, accepted a two-year offer to attend Kellogg College in Battle Creek, Michigan. Brian will study criminology as well. Brian, another lefty, expects to contend for a spot in the rotation.
Infielder Aaron Hornostaj accepted a two-year offer to attend Connor State College in Warner, Oklahoma. The Cowboys are perennially ranked in the national JUCO top ten. A lower-round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants, Aaron looks to hone his skills and enter a Division I program or reenter the draft.
Please check out our Photo Album for some great action shots!
 |
Thursday, May 17
Wildcats Win Semi-Final, Lose Championship Game!
Villanova defeated Warren De La Salle on Wednesday, May 16th by a score of 3-2, to advance to the Detroit Catholic League Class A/B Championship game at Comerica Park on Thursday, May 24.
The Wildcats jumped out to an early 4-0 lead over Catholic Central, but were unable to hold on, losing 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Thanks to all of our fans who crossed the border and braved the weather to root us on.
Congratulations Wildcats on another fantastic season, and good luck to all graduating seniors!
Friday, May 11
Villanova Clinches AA Division Championship !!!
For the second time in three years, the Villanova Wildcats varsity baseball team has won the Detroit Catholic League AA Division championship.
A doubleheader sweep of Bishop Foley, including John Picco's record-setting 22 strikeout performance, coupled with a pair of St. Mary's losses, provided the Wildcats with an unsurmountable 4 game lead with 2 games to play.
Congratulations to all the Wildcats. And congratulations to the JV team as well. They clinched their second division title in three years with a season-ending doubleheader sweep of Notre Dame Prep.
Picco Verbally Commits to Oakland University
October 2000
Senior lefthander John Picco has verbally committed to accept a scholarship from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. John will play baseball for the Golden Grizzlies beginning in September 2001. The scholarship is for $90,000 US over four years.
Oakland University competes in the Mid Continent Conference. John plans to study either education or sports management as his major.
John will officially sign his offer during the early signing period from November 8 to 15. More details will follow.
Congratulations, John. We're looking forward to a dominant senior season from you.
Casagrande Heads For Buffalo
Congratulations to senior shortstop Jeff Casagrande. He will be attending Erie College in Buffalo, New York in September, and will play for their baseball team.
Jeff expects to start at shortstop for the Kats in his freshman year.
Jeff will be studying Liberal Arts.
He joins double play teammate Dan Marshall in advancing to the college game this year.
Jeff becomes the fifth Wildcat in the last three years to join a college team, plus one pro.
Way to go Jeff, and good luck with your new team.
Marshall Earns Scholarship
Congratulations to senior secondbaseman Dan Marshall, who has accepted a scholarship to attend Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan beginning in September.
Dan is expected to start right away for the Indians at shortstop.
He will study athletic training.
Dan is the fourth Wildcat to advance to play college baseball in the last three years, plus one professional.
Way to go and best of luck, Dan.
Picco is Villanova's Senior Male Athlete of the Year
Junior lefthander John Picco was honoured at Villanova's Athletic Banquet as the school's Senior Male Athlete of the Year. He was selected in an election by the athletic staff and coaches over several other deserving candidates.
Picco excelled this year as a key performer and leader with both the senior boys baseball and basketball teams. He participated in the WECSSA senior boys basketball all-star game, and was selected to the Detroit Catholic League All-League and All-Catholic teams in baseball.
Congratulations, John.
Athletic Banquet Honours - Team Awards
The Villanova Athletic Banquet was held at the Verdi Club in Amherstburg on Wednesday, June 14th.
Junior lefthanded pitcher John Picco earned the Senior Baseball MVP award for his outstanding season on the mound.
Junior outfielder Chris Cerchie was selected to win the Senior Baseball Coaches' Award for his great effort and attitude during the year.
Detroit Catholic League Honours Five Wildcats
Congratulations are in order for five members of the Wildcats who were selected by the coaches of the AA Division in the Detroit Catholic League for post-season honours.
Junior southpaw pitcher John Picco, senior secondbaseman Dan Marshall and senior pitcher/centerfielder Brian Ouellette were all selected to the All-Catholic Team. These three players were joined by junior outfielder Gerry Dufour on the All-League Team.
Senior catcher David Szalkai earned a spot on the All-Academic Team.
Congratulations to these Wildcats on their success this season.
Picco Spins Second Consecutive No-Hitter
On Wednesday, May 3, John Picco tossed his second consecutive no-hitter, pitching to the minimum 21 batters and striking out ten. The Wildcats travelled to Riverview and defeated Gabriel Richard 6-0. His attempt at a perfect game was marred by one walk, who was later erased in a double play.
Picco Tosses First Career No-Hitter
| | |
On Wednesday, April 19, junior southpaw John Picco tossed his first career no-hitter against the Fighting Irish, striking out 17 and walking 5. Villanova defeated Pontiac Notre Dame Prep by a score of 4-0.
Rightfielder Chris Cerchie gave Picco the only help he would need with a diving catch to end the third inning on the only legitimate chance the Irish had to break up the no-hitter.
The Wildcats scored the only run Picco would need in the bottom of the first inning. Gerry Dufour opened the inning with a single. He stole second and third, and then Dan Marshall singled him home.
The game remained a 1-0 nail-biter until the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Wildcats' offensive woes continued, stranding 9 baserunners in the first five innings.
In the bottom of the sixth, Villanova gained some breathing room. With one out, pinch hitter Chris Botterill singled. Brian Ouellette re-entered to run for Botterill, and was running when Dufour singled to left center. Ouellette scored from first. The next batter, Picco, tripled to left-center, scoring Dufour. Marshall then cashed in Picco with a single of his own.
Dufour finished the game with three hits. Picco and Marshall each had two hits, the former with a pair of RBI's.
 | | 1999 Detroit Catholic League Finalists |
| |
Saturday, April 1
Wildcats Set Team Record with 19 Consecutive Home Wins
On Saturday, April 29, a 3-1 defeat to Dearborn Divine Child ended the Wildcats' home winning streak within the AA Division at 19 consecutive games. The winning streak began Wednesday, May 6, 1998 with an 11-1 victory over Riverview Gabriel Richard. The final victory was a 5-2 victory over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep on Wednesday, April 19, 2000.
The Wildcats went exactly two years between home division losses. The previous loss occured on Wednesday, April 29, 1998 by a score of 11-7 to Orchard Lake St. Mary's. The streak included a perfect 10-0 record in 1999. Villanova finished 2000 with an 8-2 division mark at home.
Tuesday, July 11
Keep On Clicking for Cash, Wildcats ! ! !
Way to go Wildcats! We have finished in the top 100 sites for ePointz in April, May and June. As a result, we have won $100 US each month in the ePointz contest. Keep up the good work, Wildcats. Make sure to come to the site as often as possible to continue to collect as many pointz as possible.
Wildcats win WCCC Invitational Tournament
Villanova returned to participate in the second annual Wayne County Community College District Invitation Tournament. This year's event featured 8 teams over the weekend of April 1st and 2nd.
The Wildcats opened with a game on Saturday, April 1 against Detroit Henry Ford. Villanova earned the win 10-0. Brian Ouellette earned the start, and tossed a one-hitter, striking out 7 while pitching to one hitter more than the minimum. The Wildcats scattered 10 hits over the five inning game, shortened for the mercy rule.
On Sunday morning, the Wildcats faced Detroit Cody. It was another easy game, with a final score of 18-0. John Picco tossed a one-hit shutout, recording strikeouts on 14 of the 15 outs in the game. Picco also launched a two-run homerun in the game. The Wildcats collected a total of 19 hits in the game.
With the two shutouts, Villanova advanced to the championship game Sunday evening under the lights at Detroit Northwestern High School. Their opponent was Detroit Renaissance High School.
The Wildcats spotted Renaissance a 5 run first inning lead, and then roared back to out score them 12-2 the rest of the game to win 12-7. Jeff Casagrande threw 4 solid innings of 4-hit relief to pick up the victory. The offense was paced by Gerry Dufour, who collected 2 hits and 3 RBI's. Dave Szalkai and Dan Marshall had 2 hits and 2 RBI's each. Brian Ouellette added 2 hits, and John Picco 2 RBI's.
The Wildcats were 2000 tournament champions.
Top hitters for the tournament included Dan Marshall (.750, 6 H, 5 R, 6 RBI, 6 SB), Chris Cerchie (.667, 4 H, 4 RBI), Gerry Dufour (.600, 6 H, 7 R, 4 RBI, 5 SB), Brian Ouellette (.500), John Picco (.500, 5 R, 4 RBI, HR) and Jeff Casagrande (.429).
| |
|
|
