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Raleigh, NC - Freshman Ben Ruta's (West Windsor, NJ / West-Windsor Plainsboro South) two-out, RBI single in the top of the 10th inning lifted Wagner to a thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 victory over Villanova (0-3) in the Seahawks' season opener at Doak Field on the campus of NC State.

The Green & White won on opening day for the first time since February 26, 2000 thanks to a two-run, ninth-inning rally that forced extra innings.

Trailing 4-2 and down to the final three outs, junior Chris Smith (Tampa, FL / Freedom / Ellsworth CC) reached via a bunt single. Ruta moved Smith to third with a single in his first collegiate at-bat, before senior Nick Alfano (Coral Springs, FL / North Broward Prep) followed with the third-straight Wagner hit to make it a 4-3 game while moving Ruta up 90 feet. Alfano and Ruta then advanced to second and third on a Tommy Mazurkiewicz (Fr., Neshanic Station, NJ / Somerville) sacrifice bunt. Junior Ian Miller (Downingtown, PA / Bishop Shanahan) followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game up at 4-4 while plating Ruta and completing the comeback.

The Wildcats had a chance for the walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth inning, loading the bases on three walks by sophomore RHP Anthony Battaglia (Staten Island, NY / St. Joseph By The Sea). However, the Seahawk reliever evaded trouble with an inning-ending strikeout.

In the top of the 10th inning, Ruta plated senior Jayson Keel (Starkville, MS / Starkville / Holmes CC), who previously reached via an error, to provide the eventual winning run. In the bottom of the frame, Battaglia set the side down in order to lock up his fourth career victory.

Wagner outhit Villanova by an 11-7 count while taking advantage of four Wildcat miscues in plating two unearned runs to help earn the win for second-year head coach Jim Carone.

Miller had a fine day at the top of the order, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, one RBI and a run. Joining the fleet-footed center fielder with multiple hits were Keel, Ruta and Smith as the trio went 6-for-9 with three runs and a pair of walks.

Battaglia struck out four while walking three over 2.0 hitless frames. Freshman LHP Paul Mammino (Hillsborough, NJ / Hillsborough) kept the Seahawks in the game with 4.2 innings of one-run ball in relief while adding five strikeouts and not walking a batter.

Villanova struck first with a pair of runs in the opening frame, before Wagner dented the scoreboard in the top of hte third inning with a two-out rally. Miller singled, before stealing second and would come around to score on a Chase Gray (Toms River, NJ / Toms River South) single.

The Wildcats quickly got that run back in the bottom part of the frame, before extending the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth. However, the damage could have been worse as the bases were loaded with no outs. Mammino rose the challenge, striking out the next two batters before inducing an inning-ending fly out.

In the top of the seventh inning the Seahawks scored their second run when Alfano reached via an error, before coming around to score on a Mazurkiewicz ground out.

Playing in its first game of the year, the Green & White defense was extremely impressive, committing just one error while sophomore Jason Gordon (Baltimore, MD / Archbishop Curley) gunned out all three runners that tried to test his arm on the bases.

Tyler Sciacca went 3-for-4 with a triple, run, RBI and walk to lead the way for Villanova. Righty Pat Young also was impressive, surrendering one run over 6.0 innings of seven-hit ball.

Wagner returns to action tomorrow at a time to be determined, due to inclement weather in the area.

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Photography by Tim Cowie Photography