East Providence, R.I. -- The Johnson & Wales University baseball team posted a 4-1 victory over Massachusetts Maritime in a non-conference contest at Pierce Field on Thursday afternoon.

Mass.-Maritime took the 1-0 lead in the top of the third on an RBI single by freshman Tyler Genereux (Duxbury, Mass.), scoring junior Michael Vargas (Natick, Mass.). Johnson & Wales tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth after sophomore Joe Coppola (Ridgewood, N.J.) drew a one out walk and scored on a double to left by senior Jonathan Melendez (Providence, R.I.).

In the bottom of the eighth, Melendez led off with a double to left, advanced to third on a fielder's choice and scored on a miscue by the Buccaneers to take the 2-1 lead. The Wildcats added to their lead on an RBI double by sophomore Zach Boyes (West Warwick, R.I.), making the score 3-1 and an RBI single by junior Bryan Sayers (Chelmsford, Mass.) scored Boyes to give the Wildcats the 4-1 victory.

Junior Corey Murphy (East Wareham, Mass.) suffered the setback for Mass.-Maritime, giving up four runs on three hits with three strikeouts in seven and two third innings. Junior Matt Yaeger (Glendale, Ariz.) picked up the win in relief for Johnson & Wales, pitching three scoreless innings while allowing three hits with three strikeouts. Sophomore Mike Wood (Hudson, Mass.) had a solid outing for the Wildcats, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts in six innings of work.

Melendez was 2-for-4 with one run and an RBI for JWU while Boyes was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI in the win for the Wildcats. Vargas went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Buccaneers in the loss.

With the win Johnson & Wales is now 5-22 while Massachusetts Maritime falls to 4-8 on the season. The Wildcats will return to action on Saturday, April 10th when they travel to Rivier for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference double header starting at 12:00 p.m.