LYNN, Mass. – Facing elimination, the Johnson & Wales University baseball team won twice on Saturday to say alive in the GNAC Tournament. The Wildcats topped Lasell College, 12-8, then beat four-time defending champion Suffolk University, 2-0.

Records:
Johnson & Wales: 26-14

Statistical Leaders:
Adam Diehl (JWU): 2-4, 1 R, 3 RBI vs. LC
Alex Domingos (JWU): 1-4, 2 R, 3 RBI vs. LC
Colby Greenhalgh (JWU): 2-4 vs. SUF

Of Note:
For the second time in three years, Johnson & Wales advances to Sunday's finals. The Wildcats will face Saint Joseph's of Maine at 12 p.m. and need to beat the Monks twice to win the GNAC title.

The 26 wins are the most by the Wildcats since the 2014 squad won 29 games.

Starter Tom Doran and reliever Dane DellaValle combined to throw a five-hit shutout against Suffolk.  Doran struck out five batters and gave up five hits. DellaValle threw three no-hit innings to get his second save.

In the third, Alex Domingos drew a two-out walk, stole second and came around to score on an Adam Diehl single.

JWU got an insurance run in the seventh from a Tim Lombardi solo home run.

Against Lasell, Johnson & Wales scored six runs by batting around in the bottom of the first inning. An Aidan Hagarty triple scored Diehl and Domingos.

Domingos had a triple of his own in the third to plate Colby Greenhalgh, Lombardi and Joe Maracic as part of a five-run third inning.

Junior Ryan Depatie worked five and two-thirds innings to get the victory. He gave up six runs, three earned, on 10 hits with six strikeouts.