LANCASTER, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall swept its doubleheader against Muhlenberg in Centennial Conference (CC) baseball action on Saturday at Caplan Field. The Diplomats (16-12, 5-3 CC) outlasted the Mules (18-12, 2-6 CC) 7-6 in a marathon game one that stretched to 12 innings, before taking game two 6-1.

F&M overcame a seventh-inning surge from Muhlenberg to take the first game, and claimed the nightcap behind a stellar complete-game performance on the mound from Brendan DeMond.

In the opener, the Diplomats took a 5-2 advantage into the seventh inning, but the Mules put together a four-run top of the seventh to take their first lead of the contest, 6-5.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eighth, J.T. Triantos plated the tying run with an RBI grounder to the right side of the infield that scored pinch-runner Mike Giannone from third to even things up at 7-7.

Josh Mendelson opened the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff double to left center, but the Diplomats were unable to capitalize and the game moved on to extra innings.

Scoring opportunities were few and far between for the two sides over the next 2 1/2 innings, but the Diplomats came through in the 12th to notch the victory in dramatic fashion. Blue Wells earned a free pass with one-out on a hit-by-pitch, before Sam Gladstone replaced him on the base paths as a pinch-runner. Brian Erb then delivered what would prove to be the key hit of the game with a double down the right field line that bounced directly over the first base bag to put runners on second and third with just one away. After an Aaron Gillette walk, Alex Vescera sent a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Gladstone to touch home for the game-winning score.

Chris Haylon (1-0) tossed 5.1 innings of shutout relief work for the Diplomats to notch his first win of the year. Haylon struck out two and allowed just two hits, while starter Evan Lang pitched the opening 6.2 frames.

The Mules used six pitchers throughout game one, with Ryan Rechten (0-2) taking loss after pitching the final four innings. Rechten recorded four strikeouts and surrendered one run on two hits.

DeMond (1-4) earned his first victory of the season with a complete-game outing in game two. The junior righthander struck out eight and walked just two, allowing seven hits and one run.

F&M broke open a close game in the latter stages with five runs in frames seven and eight, including a four-run eighth.

Tied 1-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, Gillette opened the frame by out-racing the throw from the second baseman to tally a leadoff infield single. Triantos moved Gillette to second with a sacrifice bunt, and Gillette swiped third shortly thereafter. Will Benenson then put the Diplomats on top with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 2-1.

Erb, Gillette and Triantos each added RBI singles in the eighth to give F&M a comfortable 6-1 advantage, and DeMond closed things out in the ninth for wrap up the sweep.

Rob Shannon (5-3) suffered the game two loss for Muhlenberg, allowing six runs on 11 hits while striking out six in 7.1 innings.

Triantos, Vescera and Tyler Veterano tallied three RBIs apiece throughout the doubleheader to lead F&M. Triantos and Gillette both recorded three hits in the twinbill, while Gillette and Vescera each scored a team-high three times on the day.

Joseph Vila and Nick Busillo both registered three hits and scored once in game one, while Chris Manfedonia notched two RBIs in the first contest to pace the Mules. In game two, Jimmy Cody went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while John Scuderi also had two hits in the loss.

The Diplomats travel to Washington College on Tuesday for a CC showdown at 3:30 pm.

Franklin & Marshall 7, Muhlenberg 6 (Apr 07, 2012 at Lancaster, Pa.) (Game 1)
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Muhlenberg.......... 010 001 400 000  -  6 14  3      (18-11, 2-5)
Franklin & Marshall. 202 001 010 001  -  7  7  3      (15-12, 4-3)
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Pitchers: Muhlenberg - Billy Rogers; Zach Hoffman(1); Matthew Lawsky(2); Tim Velys(8); Austin Cush(8); Ryan Rechten(8) and Brett Rosen. Franklin & Marshall - Evan Lang; Chris Haylon(7) and Josh Mendelson; Patrick Andrews.

Win-Chris Haylon (1-0) 

Loss-Ryan Rechten (0-2)

M Lawsky faced 1 batter in the 8th.

Franklin & Marshall 6, Muhlenberg 1 (Apr 07, 2012 at Lancaster, Pa.) (Game 2)
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Muhlenberg.......... 000 010 000  -  1  7  2      (18-12, 2-6)
Franklin & Marshall. 000 100 14X  -  6 12  2      (16-12, 5-3)
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Pitchers: Muhlenberg - Rob Shannon; Austin Cush(8) and Brett Rosen. Franklin & Marshall - Brendan DeMond and Patrick Andrews.

Win-Brendan DeMond (1-4) 

Loss-Rob Shannon (5-3)