LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall split a pair of games against Centennial Conference (CC) opponent Ursinus on Tuesday afternoon. The Diplomats (8-10, 1-3 CC) needed extra innings but came away with a 4-3 win in the first game, while the Bears (7-4, 1-1 CC) took the second contest 7-5.

Down 3-2 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, designated hitter Julianne Whitleigh sent a solo homerun over the left field fence to force extra innings. The score remained tied until the ninth frame, when the Diplomats ended the game following a Caitlin Brust grounder to the middle of the infield. Brust sent a grounder to the left of the shortstop, who scooped up the ball and attempted to get the force-out at second base. Her throw was off target, however, which allowed Samantha Ginder to round third and touch home for the winning run in the 4-3 victory

After a scoreless first inning, Ursinus got out to an early 3-0 lead over the next two frames. Kelsey Coyne got things started for the Bears with a single to center field, allowing Monica Bonitatis to touch home. In the third, Nikki Djambinov sent a two-run blast to center field to give Ursinus the three-run cushion.

The Diplomats cut the lead to one in the bottom of the sixth. Danielle Murphy got F&M on the board with an RBI single up the middle that plated pinch-runner Malorie Sassaman from second. With one out and runners on the corners, Sarah Kirk registered an RBI groundout to third base that enabled Amanda Shellaci to score and bring F&M within one, 3-2.

Nicole Casey (6-5) pitched all nine innings to earn the win for F&M, giving up six hits and three runs while striking out five and walking two.

Despite pitching a no-hitter through five innings, Jennilyn Weber (6-6) took the loss for Ursinus. Weber gave up six hits, four runs, and struck out five batters over 8.1 innings.

In the second game, the Diplomats were the first to strike in the bottom of the first, taking a 2-0 lead. Casey hit a triple to right field and later touched home off of a wild pitch. Laura Wagoner added an RBI single to right field that plated Alicia Kukoda to give F&M an early 2-0 edge.

The Diplomats pushed their lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the third inning, when Ginder delivered her sixth homerun of the season - a two-run shot to center field. Ursinus took the lead, 5-4, in the top of the fourth. Coyne scored off an Amy Gentile single to left field to move within two of F&M's lead, 4-2. With two outs and the bases loaded, Allison Pfrommer tripled to center field, clearing the bases and giving the Bears their first lead of the contest.

The Bears added on two more runs in the sixth to push their lead to 7-4.

F&M tried to rally with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. The Diplomats got one run off of a Casey double to right field, which brought home Megan Pauley, but couldn't manufacture any additional runs and the Bears came away with the victory.

Justine Lohrey (2-2) recorded the loss on the mound for F&M. She struck out two and walked three in six innings.

Kelly Schymanski (3-1) got the win for Ursinus, pitching 4.2 innings in relief. Schymanski gave up one run on three hits while striking out two and walking none.

Ginder was 3-for-7 on the day with two RBIs, scoring twice, and a homerun, while Casey was 3-for-4 crossing the plate twice, with one RBI.

The Diplomats return to action on Saturday when F&M hosts McDaniel. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm.

Franklin & Marshall 4, Ursinus 3 (Mar 27, 2012 at Lancaster, Pa.) (Game 1)
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Ursinus............. 012 000 000  -  3  6  2      (6-4, 0-1)
Franklin & Marshall. 000 002 101  -  4  6  2      (8-9, 1-2)
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Pitchers: Ursinus - Jennilyn Weber; Caitlin Whelan(9) Franklin & Marshall - Nicole Casey

Win-Nicole Casey(6-5)  

Loss-Jennilyn Weber(6-6)

Ursinus 7, Franklin & Marshall 5 (Mar 27, 2012 at Lancaster, Pa.) (Game 2)
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Ursinus............. 001 402 0 -  7 12  0      (7-4, 1-1)
Franklin & Marshall. 202 000 1 -  5  8  1      (8-10, 1-3)
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Pitchers: Ursinus - Caitlin Whelan; Kelly Schymanski(3) Franklin & Marshall - Justine Lohrey; Nicole Casey(7)

Win-Kelly Schymanski(3-1)