East Providence, R.I. – The Johnson & Wales baseball team dropped a 9-1 decision against WPI in a non-conference contest at Pierce Field on Thursday afternoon.

WPI took the early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first after RBI singles by Mike Swanton and Jameson Kokolis. Wildcats junior Teddy Katz (Pittsburgh, PA) responded in the top of the 2nd inning with a lead-off homer to cut the deficit in half. The Engineers then put up two runs in the bottom of the inning on a home-run by Joe Walsh to expand their lead 4-1 after two.

WPI opened the lead up in the bottom of the 4th with three unearned runs and continued with two runs in the 7th off a home-run by Kokolis.

The Wildcats were led by sophomore Joe Coppola (Ridgewood, NJ) who went 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk while senior Waldis Garcia (Lowell, Mass.) was 1-for-3 with a stolen base in the setback for JWU.

Senior Nick Marine (Bristol, R.I.) suffered the loss for the Wildcats pitching six innings, surrendering nine hits and only four earned runs. Alex Julian pitched seven innings and allowed just six hits, one run, while walking one and striking out two for the Engineers.

JWU is now 0-11 for the season while WPI improves to 8-0 for the year. The Wildcats will return to action on Saturday, March 20th when they host Husson for a non-conference contest at 12:00 p.m.