GREENSBORO, N. C. – The Franklin & Marshall baseball team suffered an 18-3 setback against Case Western Reserve on Sunday afternoon on the final day of the Guilford College Tournament. The Diplomats evened their record on the year at 1-1, while the Spartans improved to 3-0. 

F&M found itself battling back from a large deficit before having the opportunity to step to the plate after Case Western put up eight runs off eight hits in the top of the first that included a pair of triples in the frame. 

In the second, the Diplomats managed to cut into the lead when Casey Bulik stepped to the plate with runners on first and second and lined a double to left field that plated Luke Seib. 

With Brett Poniros on third, center fielder Rob Anderson hit a grounder to the Spartans' shortstop that allowed the runner to cross home plate and make the score 8-2. 

The six-run deficit held until the top of the fourth when Case Western's offense came alive once again to the tune of three runs on three hits before tacking on three more in the following frame to put the contest out of reach. F&M was able to get on the board in the bottom of the ninth when Zachary Roberson singled to left to score Brian Erb from second, who doubled earlier in the inning. 

The Diplomats combined for eight hits on the afternoon, while surrendering 24 to the Spartans. Poniros put together F&M's only multi-hit effort with a 2-for-3 showing that included a run, while Bulik finished 1-for-2 with an RBI. 

Paul Giulio got the nod to start the contest but was chased from the mound in the first inning after allowing four earned and retiring only a pair of batters. Eric Bateman (0-1) was charged with the loss after giving up five earned off six hits in 2.1 innings of relief. 

Andrew Gronski led Case Western with a 4-for-5 effort at the plate that included three singles and a pair of RBIs, while Will Meador went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs on the day. Neal Krentz was handed the win after going five innings and allowing two earned on four hits. 

The Diplomats return to action on Saturday when F&M travels to Catholic for a non-conference double header. Game one gets underway at 12:00 p.m.