FLEMINGTON, N.J. – A two out double down the leftfield line in the top of the ninth scored a runner from second and broke a 1-1 tie to hand St. John Fisher a narrow 2-1 win over Franklin & Marshall on Friday afternoon in non-conference baseball action. The loss evened the Diplomats' record on the season at 7-7, while the Cardinals improved to 9-1.

St. John Fisher opened the contest with a two out home run in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. F&M answered quickly in the bottom of the second, when David Iacobucci drew a walk to start off the frame, before advancing to second off the wild pitch. 

Joe Gallitto moved Iacobucci over to third by hitting into a groundout, before Iacobucci completed his trip around the bases off the Cardinals' second wild pitch of the inning to knot the game at 1-1. 

The pitchers for both teams took over from there, holding each opposing offense scoreless through six frames.  F&M starter Alex Guerra was solid throughout, tossing six innings and striking out six while only allowing one earned. Chris Mathewson entered in relief and threw 1.1 frames, striking out one and allowing two hits. 

Still tied at 1-1 in the ninth, F&M retired the first two Cardinal batters in order before an error by the Diplomats' second baseman, followed by a single up the middle, placed runners on first and second. Chris Roder followed with the go-ahead double for St. John Fisher to pull the Cardinals ahead by one. 

Gallitto provided hope for the Diplomats with a walk to open up the bottom of the ninth. Tyler Daley came in to pinch run and was moved over to second by a Brian Erb sacrifice bunt. However, F&M's next two batters in the order struck out to end the contest. 

Cardinals' starter Marc Iseneker went the first six innings, striking out eight and allowing only one earned. Josh Amann (1-1) tossed two innings in relief to capture the win, while Ryan Smith entered in the ninth to pick up his first save of the season. Paul Giulio (2-3) was charged with the loss for F&M.

The Diplomats picked up three hits in the contest from Rob Anderson (1-for-3), Iacobucci (1-for-3) and Casey Bulik (1-for-3). St. John Fisher entered action hitting .402 as a team but was limited to only seven hits on the day. 

F&M returns to the field on Saturday when the Diplomats travel to face off against Drew. Game one of the non-conference doubleheader is set for a 1:00 p.m. start.