Box Score Box Score
YORK, Pa. – A Christopher Vincent ninth inning grand slam put the finishing touches on an impressive offensive performance in a dominant 16-7 win for Franklin & Marshall's baseball team against York on Monday afternoon.
The non-conference tilt improved the Diplomats' record to 15-10-1 on the year while the Spartans fell to 14-12.
Trailing 3-1 heading into the third, F&M put together a five-run frame with five hits. Jimmy Whelan led off with a double to right center and crossed home plate off a Zachary Roberson RBI single. Reed Williams followed with a two-RBI single that plated Roberson and Kyle Ebert, before a Cory Hecht sacrifice fly with runners on the corners made the score 6-3.
York pulled within two after three singles in the bottom of the seventh led to a run that made it a 7-5 game, before the Diplomats' offense once again took control in the eighth. Casey Bulik and Whelan delivered RBI singles in the frame as F&M notched three hits in the inning.
Comfortably ahead by an 11-5 tally, the Diplomats' bats produced another notable frame by tossing five more runs on the board in the ninth. A pair of walks and a Hecht single up the middle loaded the bases with two outs. Kevin Lammers was hit by a pitch, allowing Brian Meerholz to cross home plate before Vincent emptied the bases with a grand slam.
Vincent finished his career day at the plate with a 3-for-6 line, to go along with two runs scored and five RBIs. Whelan was 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a RBI and two walks, while Roberson went 2-for-6 with two runs scored and a run batted in. Williams registered a 2-for-2 effort with three RBIs and Hecht was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, as F&M tied York with 17 hits apiece.
Eight pitchers took the mound for the Diplomats. Blake Smith (2-0) was rewarded with the win after 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Bobby Kuehn (2-2) was charged with the loss for the Spartans after being tagged for five earned off eight hits in 2 1/3 innings.
The Diplomats return to Centennial competition on Wednesday by traveling to Conference–leader Ursinus for a 3:30 p.m. matchup.
