LANCASTER, Pa. – A five-run third inning propelled Franklin & Marshall's baseball team to a 7-5 win in its home opener against Arcadia on Tuesday afternoon at Caplan Field. The Diplomats improved to 7-8 with the decision while the Knights fell to 10-6-1.

Arcadia struck first with a two-run homer in the top of the second that cleared the right field fence and put F&M in an early 2-0 hole. The Diplomats' offense answered emphatically in the bottom of the third with five runs on five hits and a pair of errors to jump out in front at 5-2. 

Luke Seib got the scoring started in the frame with a two-RBI double to left center that plated Ryan Obrecht from second and Tyler Daley from third. Matt Mezansky followed with a double down the left field line, sending Seib and Zachary Roberson across the plate. 

David Iacobucci continued the inning with a single to left center, and Mezansky scored from third when an errant throw from the Knights' catcher ended up in center field in a failed attempt to catch Iacobucci stealing. 

The three-run lead held until the top of the fifth when Arcadia used an RBI double and an RBI single to tally two runs off four hits and make it a 5-4 game. F&M's bullpen kept the lead intact until the offense provided insurance in the bottom of the eighth by tallying two runs on a pair of hits, including a Daley RBI triple to right center that sent Casey Bulik across the dish. 

Arcadia attempted to rally in the ninth and eventually got the winning run up to the plate after a wild pitch scored a runner from third. However, closer Andrew Mascis managed to end the threat with a groundout to first with runners on the corners and secure his third save of the season. 

Jonathan Pesantez (2-1) earned the win in relief of starter Eric Dyke, tossing a pair of scoreless innings and striking out one. Vincent Ceriale (0-1) was charged with the loss for the Knights, who used eight pitchers on the day. 

Each team registered nine hits. Daley paced F&M's offense with a 3-for-4 effort, one RBI and a pair of runs scored. Bulik went 2-for-4 with one run scored while Seib and Mezansky both recorded two RBIs. 

The Diplomats continue their home stand on Saturday, welcoming TCNJ to Lancaster for a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. Game one is slated for seven innings while game two is set for the full nine.