WPI 2, Johnson & Wales 1

Box Score

Worcester, MA --- Conor Fahey (Cumberland, RI) did not allow an earned run while tossing a complete game in WPI's 2-1 victory over Johnson & Wales in non-conference baseball action on Tuesday afternoon. With the result, WPI improves to 7-5 while Johnson & Wales falls to 3-5 following the New England opener for both teams.

WPI tied the game on Scott McNee's (Falmouth, MA) sacrifice fly in the fourth before Mike Swanton's (Foxboro, MA) two-out double to left center plated Ryan Rainone in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Johnson & Wales scored its only run in the third inning when Mike Newsome (Providence, RI) led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a Jonathan Melendez (Providence, RI) sacrifice fly to center.

Fahey was outstanding on the mound for the Engineers.  The junior struck out four, did not allow a walk and scattered six hits while improving to 3-0 on the season.  He helped his own cause with pickoffs in the seventh and eighth innings.  The one in the seventh came after a perfectly executed JWU hit-and-run placed runners on first and third with one out.  Fahey promptly picked off a pinch runner at first before getting a strikeout to end the threat.

Johnson & Wales got strong pitching performances from Erik Hufnagel (Sykesville, MD) and Jeff Jordan (Woodbridge, NJ).  The duo each allowed a run with Hufnagel going the first five frames and Jordan (0-2), the hard-luck loser, going the final three.

Swanton and McNee each had two hits for the Engineers while Newsome and Mike MacKay (Pawtucket, RI) each laced a pair of base hits for the Wildcats.

Both teams return to the diamond on Wednesday at 3:30pm, weather permitting.  WPI will host Westfield while Johnson & Wales will venture to New London, CT to take on Coast Guard.

Story written by Katie Rowlenson - WPI Athletics Intern