YORK, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall men's tennis battled a tough opponent in Salisbury but fell short by a 5-4 score on Friday evening.

The Diplomats dropped to 0-2 while the Sea Gulls improved to 7-1 on the year.

By the Numbers

No. 1 doubles duo Sam Bellersen and Jack Rothman delivered F&M's first win in a close 9-8 (7-2) match to keep the Diplomats within one heading into singles competition.

Rothman (No. 1) and Bellerson (No. 4), along with senior Will Samuels (No. 5) kept the pace for F&M winning their individual matches in three sets. Andrew Pace fought a hard battle in the No. 6 spot, eventually falling by two 7-6 tie-breaker sets.

The Results

Doubles competition
1. Sam Bellersen/Jack Rothman (FMCM) def. Patrick MacLean/Colt Williamson (SAL) 9-8 (7-2)
2. Ian Siew/Matthew Ryan (SAL) def. Zack Levin/Isaac Salas (FMCM) 8-2
3. Andrew Rainger/William Niessner (SAL) def. Will Samuels/Andrew Pace (FMCM) 8-5

Singles competition
1. Jack Rothman (FMCM) def. Colt Williamson (SAL) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
2. Ian Siew (SAL) def. Isaac Salas (FMCM) 6-1, 6-3
3. Stefan Hein (SAL) def. Zack Levin (FMCM) 6-4, 6-1
4. Sam Bellersen (FMCM) def. Patrick MacLean (SAL) 0-6, 6-1, 6-2
5. Will Samuels (FMCM) def. Kelson Weber (SAL) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
6. Matthew Ryan (SAL) def. Andrew Pace (FMCM) 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-8)

Order of Finish

Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (3,2,4,5,1,6)

Up Next

F&M travels to Orlando, Fla. on Monday, beginning its three-contest Spring Break trip by taking on Wisconsin-La Crosse at 11:30 a.m.