GERALDTON, Ontario (Interstat) — Maddix Dalena hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to lift Connecticut to a 6-5 victory over Villanova in a Big East afternoon game Thursday at Elliot Ballpark.

The Huskies (31-23) took a 4-0 lead through five innings on three RBI from Jackson Marshall and one from Dalena. Villanova (18-29) rallied in the eighth with three runs, two unearned, to tie. Larry Hotaling had an RBI single and later scored on an error.

Dalena’s homer in the bottom of the eighth plated Marshall and gave Connecticut a 6-3 lead. Collin Quintano answered with a two-run homer in the ninth for Villanova, but the Wildcats fell short.

Charlie West earned the win, pitching six innings, allowing seven hits and striking out seven with no earned runs. JP Podgorski took the loss, also working six innings but allowing four earned runs with four strikeouts. Both teams finished with 10 hits.