COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall fell to Ursinus 4-3 in extra innings on Thursday afternoon in Centennial Conference (CC) baseball action. The Diplomats (14-12, 3-3 CC) held a 3-2 edge heading into the bottom of the ninth, but the Bears (11-12, 3-3 CC) notched one run in the ninth and added the winning score in the 10th to split the season series with F&M.

Kevin Shields and Brandon Theriault delivered back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the first to give F&M a 2-0 lead, but the Bears responded with scores in both the first and third frames to even things up at 2-2.

F&M jumped on top once again in the top of the fourth on an RBI bunt single by J.T. Triantos. With two outs and nobody on base, Aaron Gillette kept the inning alive with an infield single, before advancing to third on a failed pickoff attempt by Ursinus pitcher Steve Christakos. Triantos then laid down the RBI bunt to help the Diplomats re-take the lead, 3-2.

In the bottom of the ninth, Garrett Smith tallied a one-out double to the gap in left center, and touched home one batter later as Kevin Wilson registered a sacrifice fly to center field to even things up at 3-3 and send the contest into extra innings. 

The Bears managed to load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 10th, and secured the victory on a bunt single down the first base line from Ryan O'Connell.

Theriault went 3-for-4 with an RBI for F&M, while Alex Vescera also posted a 3-for-4 performance. Gillette notched two hits and crossed home twice, with Triantos and Brian Erb also recording two hits in the loss.

Wilson registered a game-high two RBIs to pace Ursinus, while Smith and Rich Guthridge each tallied two hits.

Starter Alex Guerra recorded five strikeouts and allowed two runs, one earned, in six innings on the mound. Paul Giulio (0-1) suffered his first defeat of the season in 1.1 innings of relief.

Ursinus starter Steve Berardi pitched just one frame for the Bears, before Christakos (1-2) went the distance by tossing the final nine innings to earn the win. Christakos allowed 11 hits, but gave up just one unearned run while striking out five.

The Diplomats return home on Saturday for a doubleheader against CC foe Muhlenberg. Game one is set to begin at 12:30 pm at Caplan Field.

Ursinus 4, Franklin & Marshall 3 (Apr 05, 2012 at Collegeville, Pa.)
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Franklin & Marshall. 200 100 000 0 -  3 13  2      (14-12, 3-3 CC)
Ursinus............. 101 000 001 1 -  4  9  1      (11-12, 3-3 CC)
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Pitchers: Franklin & Marshall - Alex Guerra; Chris Haylon(7); Andrew Green(8); Paul Giulio(9); Sean Cosgriff(10) and Josh Mendelson. Ursinus - Steve Berardi; Steve Christakos(2) and Kevin Wilson.

Win-Steve Christakos (1-2)

Loss-Paul Giulio (0-1)