East Providence, R.I. (taken from a JWU press release) – The Brandeis University baseball team won for the third time in the four games today as the Judges defeated Johnson and Wales University, 7-4, at Pierce Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Johnson & Wales took the lead in the bottom of the first when an RBI single to right by sophomore Chad Miller (Pelham, N.H.) gave the team the 1-0 lead. The Wildcats increased the lead to 2-0 when junior Mike Pendergast (Warwick, R.I.) scored on a delayed steal. Brandeis responded in the top of the third on a two-run single by freshman Mike Alfego (Shrewsbury, Mass.). An RBI single by freshman Nick Gallagher (Southboro, Mass.) in the top of the sixth gave the visiting Judges a 3-2 advantage. Brandeis added three more in the inning, including an RBI single senior Chris Navis (Walpole, Mass.) to take a 6-2 lead.

The Wildcats cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth when a two run single by senior John Fidalgo (Quincy, Mass.) made the score 6-4. A sacrifice fly by senior Zach Golden (Milton, Mass.) put Brandeis ahead 7-4 in the top of the ninth and Johnson & Wales went in order in the bottom of the ninth as the Judges held on for the 7-4 victory.

Alfego and freshman Dave Almeida (Bridgeport, Conn.) each notched two hits for Brandeis with Alfego also driving in a pair of runs. Eight players notched at least one hit for Johnson & Wales with junior Alex Hurley (East Hartford, Conn.) going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Brandeis sophomore Rocco Toppi (Portland, Maine) went 7.1 innings in his first collegiate start, scattering nine hits and allowing four earned runs. He struck out three and walked two to improve to 2-0 on the season. Rookie James Collins (So. Boston, Mass.) tossed 1.2 perfect innings for his first collegiate save.

With the loss Johnson & Wales falls to 20-14 while Brandeis improves to 17-9-1 for the season