Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A barrage of late-inning runs broke open a close game early on as Franklin & Marshall's baseball team erupted for a 21-6 win over Gallaudet on Saturday afternoon in Washington, D.C.

The non-conference win allowed the Diplomats to remain unbeaten on the year at 3-0 while the Bison fell to 2-4.

After falling behind by a 3-0 score in the first inning, F&M responded with four runs on three hits in the third to pull in front by one. Kelsey Launi notched an RBI single in the frame, followed by a Dan Marano RBI double and a bases-clearing, two-RBI triple from Don DiLoreto. 

Gallaudet got a run back in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 4-4, which held until the top of the sixth when the Diplomats secured the lead for good with four runs on five hits and an error. J.J. Freeman's two-out, RBI single and Launi's two-RBI double highlighted the scoring. 

F&M broke the game open in the seventh with a six-run performance, which included a Will Samuel bases-clearing, three-RBI triple and an inside the park homer from Freeman that also plated Samuel.

In the ninth, the Diplomats tacked on with seven runs on five hits. F&M's first five batters reached base in the inning as the Diplomats twice generated runs off of bases-loaded walks. 

Jonathan Cole (1-0) earned the win with three scoreless relief innings. He struck out four batters and didn't allow a walk or a hit. Buckley was credited with the save thanks to tossing the final three frames and striking out five. 

Freeman had a career day at the leadoff stop with a 3-for-6 effort with four runs scored, and four batted in. Marano was 3-for-5 with one run scored and an RBI. Launi went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored while Samuel was 2-for-6 with four RBIs and a pair of runs scored. 

Catcher Danny Blugis (2-for-2) and centerfielder Kevin Lammers (2-for-3) each contributed with multi-hit efforts, while Lammers scored three runs on the day. F&M's batters combined to outhit Gallaudet by an 18-9 margin. The Diplomats tallied six extra-base hits.

F&M is currently scheduled to travel to Albright on Tuesday for a 3:00 p.m. game.