March 22, 2008

Box Score

REDLANDS, Calif. - Franklin & Marshall gave #18 Redlands everything the Bulldogs (15-9) could handle, but ultimately fell short, dropping a 4-3 decision.

The teams traded runs in the early going with F&M (4-8) getting on the board first. Mark Minutaglio opened the game with a walk. He made his way to second on a passed ball before Shea Moriarty split the diamond to send him home.

Redlands answered in the bottom of the second with a pair of triples. Corey Vane reached on a one-out triple down the rightfield line. An out later, Chase Beatty went down the opposite line for the Bulldogs second triple of the inning.

The hosts pulled ahead in the fifth scoring a pair of runs on as many hits. Zack Braband led off with a double followed by a Kyle Rizzo walk. Braband came home on a sacrifice fly, while Rizzo scored on the Bulldogs' third triple of the contest to make it 3-1. One-third of Redlands' nine hits in the game were triples.

The Diplomats tied things up in the seventh when Andrew Hanson reached on a one out, infield single. A wild pitch and a Minutaglio single place him on third where Moriarty brought him home with a single into right. The end of the inning ended Redlands' starter, Mike Lessig's day with three runs, two earned, on the scoreboard. Lessig struck out eight.

He earned the win with Redlands run in response to F&M's pair in the top of the inning. Billy Lavelle's one out walk became the game-winning run when Jefre Johnson singled up the middle.

David Johnson came on and worked the final two innings for Redlands for the save. He allowed a single hit.

Despite a solid outing, Matt Kalos (0-1) suffered the loss for F&M. He allowed all four runs on eight hits, and stuck out six Bulldogs.

Moriarty went 3-for-5 for F&M with two RBIs. Minutaglio finished the game 2-for-4 having scored twice. Hanson was also 2-for-4. He scored once.

The Diplomats return home on Tuesday to open Centennial Conference play against Ursinus.