VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Franklin & Marshall opened its season with a pair of losses at the Virginia Beach Bash on Friday. The Diplomats were handed their first loss by No. 25 Virginia Wesleyan, 9-1, while No. 20 Rowan also defeated F&M 13-2.

Brianna Bertovice singled to left field to bring home Tori Higginbotham, as Virginia Wesleyan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning of play. In the top of the second, F&M evened the score after Caitlin Brust reached first on a fielder's choice and brought home Rachel Laufer for the Diplomats lone run of the game.

The score would remain locked at one a piece through the next two innings. However, in the bottom of fifth the Marlins would catch fire, scoring four runs to take a 5-1 lead. Higginbotham touched home once again with Virginia Scatchard singling down the left field line and Bertovich drove in a three-run homer over the right field fence to conclude the inning.

The Marlins touched home for four more runs in the bottom of the sixth to bring the score to 9-1 and end the game due to the eight-run rule.

Nicole Casey took the loss and fell to 0-1 on the mound for F&M. She pitched five innings and gave up four earned runs.

Kristina Karagiorgis picked up the win, pitching a complete six innings for the Marlins and only giving up one hit.

In the second game, the first inning was quiet with neither team getting a hit or a run, but Rowan took the lead in the top of the second with a three-run frame. Nicole Escudero delivered a two-RBI double down the left field line to give the Profs the edge, before Nicolina Veneriano brought Escudero across the plate with a double of her own to right field.

The Diplomats answered in the bottom of the inning as Laufer stole second and put herself in scoring position. Brust then knocked in Laufer with an RBI single up the middle to bring the score to 3-1.

The Profs exploded in the top of the third inning, plating nine runs to go up 12-1. F&M's Danielle Murphy scored the Diplomats last run of the game to make the score 12-2 going into the fourth inning. Rowan drove in the final run of the contest in the top of the fifth to take a 13-2 victory and end the game on the eight-run rule.

Kaitlin Zampino took the loss, allowing 11 hits and striking out two. She fell to 0-1 on the season.

LeAnne Miller earned the win for Rowan, fanning seven batters.

F&M returns to the diamond Saturday in a double-header with Wilkes and Peace. Game times are set for 10 am and noon.

Rowan 13, Franklin & Marshall 2 (Mar 02, 2012 at Beach Bash)

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Rowan............... 039 01 - 13 10  0
Franklin & Marshall. 011 00 -  2  3  4
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Pitchers: Rowan - LeAnne Miller. Franklin & Marshall - Kaitlin Zampino; Justine Lohrey(3)

Win- LeAnne Miller    Loss-Kaitlin Zampino (0-1)

HR ROW - Stephanie Labas.

Weather: Cloudy