FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Franklin & Marshall's men's tennis team kicked of its spring season by splitting a pair of non-conference matches at the University of Mary Washington on Sunday afternoon. The Diplomats defeated Bridgewater (Va.), 5-1, to start off the day before falling to No. 21 Mary Washington, 8-1.

Against Bridgewater, F&M cruised to victory with three singles and two doubles wins. William MacArthur earned a straight-set decision over Bridgewater's Brandon Larson from the No. 2 position, 6-0, 6-0. Alec Tunner followed suit with a victory over Christian Lynn 7-6, 7-4.

In doubles competition, Ross Silverberg and Nolan Bacchieri teamed up for an 8-5 win from the No. 1 spot.  Doug Kaplan and Samuel Stone also came out victorious in their match against Mike Cable and Lynn of Bridgewater, taking an 8-6 decision at No. 2.

Against Mary Washington, the Diplomats picked up their lone victory in the contest when the doubles team of MacArthur and Peter Bookman defeated David Lunding-Johansson and Marcel Rengifo of the Eagles, 8-5 in the No. 3 spot.

Tunner battled Kaleb Nquyen in singles competition but was eventually outlasted 3-6, 6-1, 14-12. Silverberg also fought hard in his singles match before falling to Tyler Carey of Mary Washington 3-6, 7-6, 10-8.

F&M heads to MIT on Saturday in non-conference action. The match is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.