Box Score Box Score
GETTYSBURG, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall's bats came alive in a 9-5 Centennial Conference (CC) baseball win over Gettysburg on the road Thursday.
The Diplomats (20-12, 7-5) produced 16 hits on the day, their highest total since collecting 18 against Gallaudet on March 2nd. The Bullets fell to 15-15, 4-8 CC.
Alex Miller helped to kick start the scoring in the top of the first with a single to right center, before getting into scoring position after stealing second base. First baseman Don DiLoreto tallied the two-out base knock with an RBI single through the left side for the 1-0 edge.
Starter Jack Buckley (6-1) was dealing early on, retiring the Bullets in order during the opening two innings, including a three-strikeout frame in the second. F&M tossed four runs on the board in the fourth to extend its lead to 5-0.
The Diplomats inflicted their damage off of five singles in the inning, including two-RBI hits from J.J. Freeman and Miller. Gettysburg countered with five runs in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at 5-5, taking advantage of a pair of F&M errors in the frame.
DiLoreto helped right the ship in the fifth with a leadoff double down the left field line. After advancing to third on a groundout, Kyle Ebert sent a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed DiLoreto to cross home plate.
Two more runs in the sixth extended the F&M lead to 8-5. Freeman notched an RBI triple in the inning that plated Justin Cavegn, and Kelsey Launi registered a two-out RBI single to right center that scored Freeman.
That tally held until the ninth when the Diplomats tacked on an insurance run. Following a two-out, intentional walk to Kevin Lammers, Cavegn stepped to the dish and laced an RBI single up the middle for the 9-5 edge.
Buckley was once again dominant, picking up his CC-leading sixth win of the year and tying a season high with 11 strikeouts. The lefty ace of the staff was charged for only one earned on five hits. Reliever Danny Blugis tossed a scoreless ninth with a strikeout.
Freeman was lethal from the leadoff spot with a 3-for-6 effort. The sophomore shortstop stuffed the stat sheet with three RBIs, two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. Miller also swiped a pair of bags to go along with his 2-for-5 line with two RBIs and a run scored.
Cavegn was a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk. DiLoreto, Ebert, and Lammers all tallied 2-for-4 efforts as F&M outhit Gettysburg by a 16-6 margin.
The Diplomats are scheduled to celebrate senior day on Saturday when F&M welcomes Haverford to Caplan Field for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
