HAVERFORD, PA - Third baseman Gary Kruger (Jr., East Islip, NY/East Islip) went three-for-four with two RBI and Jeremy Knox (Jr., Bronx, NY/Iona Prep) threw eight innings as the Diplomats defeated Haverford College 6-2 in Centennial Conference baseball action.

The win moves F&M into a four-way tie for first place in the Centennial Conference with Haverford, Johns Hopkins and Ursinus at 6-3, while Gettysburg College is a game back at 5-3.

Against the Fords, Franklin & Marshall cracked the scoring column in the second inning as Dan Hanecak (Jr., Conestoga, PA/Lancaster Catholic) doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Eric Milavsky (Jr., Medford, NJ/Shawnee) singled and stole second base with one out. Stephen Frederick (Jr., Downingtown, PA/Downingtown) drove in both runners on a single to give the Diplomats a 2-0 lead.

The Fords answered in third inning as Ryan Frankel led the inning of with a single and stole second base before Tim McLean drove him in with a single to cut the lead to 2-1.

Franklin & Marshall added to the lead in the sixth inning as Jon Compitello (Jr., Yardley, PA/George School) and Hanecak started the inning off with back to back singles to chase Haverford starting pitcher Jeff Graupe.

After a fly out by Milavsky, Frederick and Tommy Miller (Fr., York, PA/Central York) both walked as Compitello scored on Miller's walk for a 3-1 advantage. Pat O'Reilly (Fr., Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) lofted a sacrifice fly to bring Hanecak home for a 4-1 lead before Kruger plated Frederick and Miller as he drove a 0-1 pitch to left centerfield for a two run double and a 6-1 lead.

Haverford attempted to rally as Kenny McAlpine homered in the eighth inning, but Knox and reliever Dan Tischler (Fr., New York, NY/Horace Mann) closed out the game as Franklin & Marshall improved to 10-8 on the year.

Knox went eight innings allowing two runs on 11 hits with five strikeouts to earn the win, while Tischler went one inning allowing no runs on two hits with one strikeout.

Graupe took the loss for Haverford going five innings with four runs on 11 hits and two walks with one strikeout

Franklin & Marshall (10-8, 6-3 Centennial Conference) will return to action on April 15 versus the Fords at Caplan Field. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.