LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall used a five-run seventh inning to defeat Haverford 6-3 in Centennial Conference (CC) baseball action Thursday afternoon.  The Diplomats moved into second place in the CC standings with three conference games left to play.

Kevin Shields started the seventh off with a double down the left field line and took third on a wild pitch. Alex Vescera hit a single one batter later to plate Shields and tie the game at two apiece. Matt Will picked up a single and stole second giving F&M runners on second and third.  Will scored on a wild pitch a batter later to put the Diplomats ahead for good. Eric Bornstein's two RBI double to left put the Diplomats up 5-2 and Avery Attinson scored Bornstein with a single for the sixth run of the inning and a 6-2 F&M edge.

The Fords (26-6, 11-4) scored an unearned run in the ninth before Evan Lang induced a double play to secure the 6-3 victory.

F&M (19-13, 11-4) went up 1-0 with a run in the fourth inning. Will Benenson started the frame off with single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Bornstein.  Benenson took third on ground out by Mike Amabile and crossed home after single from Kevin Shields.

Haverford scored two runs in the top of the sixth to take a 2-1 lead, setting up the Diplomats' seventh.

Mike Duranti picked up the win with eight innings of work. Duranti (5-2) scattered five hits with four strikeouts and no earned runs.

Jonny Williams took the loss for Haverford. Williams (6-2) gave up six earned runs in 6.2 innings.

Will went 2-for-5 with a run scored while Benenson finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Bornstein knocked in two runs and scored once more and Shields turned in a 2-for-4, one run, one RBI performance for the Diplomats.

Franklin & Marshall returns to action tomorrow when the Diplomats travel to Haverford for a 3:30 p.m. game.