LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall gave the No. 10 team in the country all it could handle, but Hopkins eventually edged out the Diplomats 5-4 in Centennial Conference (CC) men's tennis action on Wednesday afternoon at the Alumni Sports and Fitness Center. The Diplomats, who are regionally ranked at No. 11, fell to 6-5, 4-1 CC, while the Blue Jays improved to 7-5, 3-0 CC.

Doug Kaplan was impressive at No. 1 singles, downing Ben Hwang 7-5, 6-3, while Nolan Bacchieri won a tough three-setter against Noah Joachim at 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (7-5) at the No. 2 spot. Will Samuels was victorious at the No. 3 position at 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (8-6) and Hamza Pataudi won the first set at No. 5 against Jacob Lin, but eventually fell 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (7-4).

In doubles action, Bacchieri and Vasant Rajamanickam were victorious at No. 2 by a score of 8-6, while Samuels and Evan Drapeau were narrowly defeated at the No. 3 positon at 9-8 (7-4).

F&M looks to bounce back on Saturday when the Diplomats travel to Swarthmore for a 1:00 p.m. match.