East Providence, R.I. (courtesy JWU sports information) -- The Johnson & Wales University baseball team defeated Brandeis, 7-5 in a non-conference contest at Pierce Field on Thursday afternoon.

Johnson & Wales took an early lead with three runs in the bottom of the second, including a two-run double by freshman Mike Saia (Bridgeport, Conn.) for the 3-0 lead. Brandeis answered in the top of the third with three unearned runs and knotted the game at 3-3 on an RBI single by rookie 3B Tom McCarthy (Yonkers, N.Y./Fieldston School).  

In the bottom of the sixth, junior Pete Rosa (Ambler, Pa.) hit a one-out double and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by freshman Shawn Haugh (Tampa, Fla.) to give the Wildcats the 4-3 advantage.  In the top of the seventh, the visiting Judges tied the game at 4-4 on an RBI triple by senior Kenny Destremps (Mashpee, Mass./Mashpee).  Destremps then scored on a wild pitch for the 5-4 advantage.  JWU responded in the bottom of the seventh when senior Sean Radu (Fords, N.J.) reached on a single to left and scored on an RBI single by freshman Rob Bocchetti (East Meadow, N.Y.) to tie the game at 5-5.  

The Wildcats took the 6-5 lead when Bocchetti scored on an RBI single by Rosa.  JWU added an insurance run as sophomore Alex Pezzuto (Hastings, N.Y.) walked and later crossed the plate on a run scoring fielder's choice by sophomore Tyler Pacheco (East Hampstead, N.H.).  The Wildcats then held on for the 7-5 victory.

Radu went 4-for-5 with a run scored in the win for JWU while Saia was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI for the Wildcats.  Graduate student Pat Nicholson (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the loss for Brandeis.

Sophomore Remy Cohen (Atlantic Highlands, N.J.) picked up his first win of the season, giving up two runs on two hits in an inning of relief while freshman John Burns (Hillsdale, N.J.) recorded his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Brandeis got a fine relief appearance from sophomore Brian Ing (Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich),who allowed just three hits over four innings with two strikeouts. Rookie Elio Fernandez (Bronx, N.Y./Fordham Prep) suffered the loss, falling to 0-2 on the campaign.

With the JWU improves to 19-10 while Brandeis falls to 6-26 on the year.  The Judges are off until next Tuesday when they host Amherst at 3:30 p.m.