Teams 
After two postponements due to rain, the Villanova University Wildcats defeated the University of Delaware Blue Hens 7-6 in the 20th Annual Liberty Bell Classic Championship. Villanova's offense was hot from the start plating runs in each of the first five innings. Junior right-fielder Matt Fleishman (2 for 5, 2 RBI) hit a two out RBI single to put Nova up on the board the first inning. In the second inning, Villanova took advantage of defensive miscues to push three runs across the plate. They added a single run in the next three innings. Delaware mounted a comeback but it fell just short. Wildcats sophomore starting pitcher Kevin MacLachlan recorded the win (5.2 IP, 2ER, 5 strikeouts) and senior Mike Francisco the save. This is the fourth time in the Division I baseball tournament's that Villanova has hoisted the Liberty Bell trophy.
The Liberty Bell Classic was conceived in 1992 as a way for local Division I colleges to compete against each other in a tournament as well as an opportunity for the schools to play on the big league field of Veterans Stadium. The original eight schools were the University of Pennsylvania, University of Delaware, Saint Joseph's, Drexel, Villanova, Temple, West Chester, and LaSalle Universities. In the first championship game, the University of Delaware defeated Villanova University 6-2.
When West Chester University was reclassified as Division II, it was replaced by Rider University and Rider was then in turn replaced by Lehigh University. When Drexel's baseball program was dissolved after the 2003 season, Lafayette University joined the Liberty Bell Classic.
Originally all games were played at Veterans Stadium, but in 2004 games were played at local venues with the championship game being held at Citizens Bank Park. The first championship at Citizens Bank Park was claimed by Lehigh University as they defeated Villanova University 11-3.
For more information, e-mail fandev@phillies.com or call 215.463.1000.
