PROVIDENCE, R.I.- After the recent winter storm made Garrity Field unplayable, the Norwich baseball team travelled down to Johnson & Wales, where they were the designated home team, to take on the reigning Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) champions.

After the Wildcats were retired in order in the top of the first, the Cadets jumped in front in the home half. Kevin Ohlsen (Shirley, N.Y.) started things off with a leadoff single to left. The next at bat advanced Ohlsen to second to set the table for a Geffen Franus (Leesburg, Va.) RBI single to centerfield to put Norwich on top.
The ensuing innings would become the Matt Ingraffia (Lake Grove, N.Y.) show as he kept a potent JWU lineup at bay through the middle innings not allowing a hit until the fifth and not permitting a base runner passed first base until the sixth. While the senior lefty hurler kept the Wildcats in check, the game remained a one run difference until JWU knotted things up in the top of the eighth.

The Cadets stymied any momentum that the Wildcats looked to build by regaining the lead in the bottom of the eighth, which opened with a Tyler Callahan (Arlington, Mass.) base hit. Looking to advance Callahan, the following batter, Dillan Garza (San Antonio, Texas) ended up reaching base on a sacrifice bunt attempt. The lineup turned over to the leadoff man Ohlsen whose bunt attempt turned into a JWU error which brought Callahan home to break the deadlock. The following hitter, John O'Connor (Southington, Conn.), walked loading the bases. Two batters later, Brock Carpenter (East Berlin, Pa.) plated Garza with a sacrifice fly giving the Cadets the two-run lead.

With Ingraffia still on the mound, the Wildcats looked for a late rally. After an inning opening error, JWU would close the gap to one with a one out RBI triple by Xavier Botelho. Looking for the tie, the Wildcats inserted a pinch hitter who laced a fly ball to centerfield. Callahan made the catch, then threw out Botelho as he was coming home to nail down the 3-2 Norwich win.

When all was said and done, Ingraffia finished with the complete game only permitted two runs (one earned), six hits and two walks, while striking out seven for his second victory of the campaign. At the plate, Franus finished two for four with an RBI in Norwich's first victory over JWU since 2017.

On deck for the Cadets is a midweek game at Middlebury. The Green Mountain clash is scheduled for a 3:30 first pitch on Apr. 9.