EAGLE LAKE, Fla. - Franklin & Marshall dropped a 3-1 decision to Rhodes on Wednesday in non-conference baseball action at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Diplomats fall to 3-5 with the defeat, while the Lynx improve to 9-8.

F&M tallied its lone score in the top of the first as Aaron Gillette crossed home plate after a throwing error from Lynx catcher Matt Shaw. Gillette opened the frame with a bunt single, before Alex Vescera laid down a successful sacrifice bunt that moved Gillette into scoring position. An infield groundout allowed Gillette to advance to third, and the senior second baseman later touched home on Shaw's errant throw.

In the bottom of the first, F&M starter Brett Klatsky (0-1) found himself in an early jam as the Lynx managed to load the bases with one out, but the sophomore righthander forced two straight flyouts to escape the inning unscathed.

Klatsky successfully recovered from tough situations several times throughout the contest, forcing the Lynx to strand 12 baserunners.

Rhodes notched single runs in the second, third, and fifth frames for the final 3-1 advantage. Lynden Pindling evened the score in the second with an RBI double to right center, while Strother White and Matt Burnick registered RBIs for the Lynx in the third and fifth, respectively.

The Diplomats put the pressure on the Lynx in the top half of the ninth as Kevin Shields earned a leadoff walk and Avery Attinson tallied an opposite-field single to left center to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Matt Mezansky followed with a bunt that got held up in the dirt just in front of the plate, and Shaw was able to narrowly throw out Stephen Gobes, who pinch ran for Shields, at third base.

Jackson Baker then recorded two straight outs for the Lynx in relief to earn the save.

Rhodes starter James Todd (1-0) settled in after the first to earn the victory, walking four and fanning one in 8.0 innings.

Klatsky took the loss on the mound for the Diplomats, surrendering two earned runs on five hits while striking out two in 7.0 innings of work. Andrew Green also saw time on the rubber for F&M, striking out two in 1.0 inning of relief in the eighth.

The Diplomats are back in action tomorrow against No. 1 Cortland St. at 11:00 a.m.