PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Johnson & Wales led 5-0 after six innings and held on for a 9-5 win over Coast Guard in a non-conference game, the northern opener for the Bears 

Coast Guard got on the board in the seventh when junior Kyle Jackson drew a bases loaded walk before Tucker Williams scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 5-2.

The Wildcats got one back in the home half before the Bears scored three times in the eighth. Senior Mark Behne had an RBI single and another run scored on a throwing error to make the score 6-4. Senior Ed Lazowski's RBI ground out pulled the Bears to within 6-5.

In the home half of the eighth, Johnson & Wales added three insurance runs, all unearned runs to close the scoring.

Jackson had two of the Bears eight hits including a double in the loss.

Junior Luke Sniatkowski (1-2) took the loss. He started and went the first six innings allowing seven hits, five runs, four earned while walking one and fanning one.

The Bears (6-5) are back in action in their home opener on Sunday as they will host Castleton in a doubleheader at noon.