Box Score Box Score
LANCASTER, Pa. – Starting pitcher Andrew Mascis tossed a complete-game shutout to lead Franklin & Marshall's baseball team to a commanding 4-0 win over Gettysburg on Thursday afternoon in Centennial Conference (CC) competition.
The home-opening victory improved the Diplomats to 8-8-1, 3-0 CC while the Bullets dropped to 6-13, 0-3 CC.
Mascis was lights out for F&M, allowing just two hits and striking out eight batters to even his record at 2-2 on the year. The senior righty also walked just one batter on the day.
The Diplomats' offense got the scoring started in the bottom of the second inning. Matthew Kann led off with a single, before Don DiLoreto laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached first on an error. Kelsey Launi's bunt single loaded the bases before Danny Blugis put a ball in play that was mishandled at second base and led to a pair of runs crossing home plate.
Ahead by a 2-0 score in the seventh, the Diplomats added a pair of insurance runs off of back-to-back RBI singles from J.J. Freeman and Dan Marano for the 4-0 edge.
Gettysburg threatened in the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff single, and eventually had runners at first and second with two outs. However, Mascis put the Bullets down swinging for the third and decisive out.
F&M was dominant in hits at 9-2. Designated hitter Don DiLoreto was 2-for-3 with a run scored while J.J. Freeman, Marano and Blugis all registered RBIs.
The Diplomats' defense was impressive throughout and included a highlight-reel, diving catch by freshman right fielder Matthew Kann, who laid out in the top of the first to rob a Bullets batter.
CC competition continues tomorrow when F&M travels to Gettysburg for a 3:30 p.m. game.
