Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2

WAYNE, N.J. – Impressive pitching performances through a pair of games on Sunday led to a 1-1 split on the road for Franklin & Marshall's baseball team against William Paterson (3-1). The Diplomats (1-3) plated the go-ahead run in the ninth inning of a 3-2 win in game one and followed with a tough 1-0 loss in the nightcap. 

Game 1: F&M 3, William Paterson 2 (9 Innings) 

Knotted at 2-2 in the ninth, Matthew Kann led off with a single to center before being placed in scoring position off a Jason Weinhaus sacrifice bunt. Don DiLoreto stepped to the dish and delivered with a ground-rule double to left-center that plated Kann for the go-ahead score. 

DiLoreto (2-0) followed his performance at the plate with a two-inning effort from the mound, tossing two scoreless frames with a pair of strikeouts to close out the game and earn the win.

The Pioneers jumped in front early after loading the bases with no outs in the first. William Paterson eventually tallied a pair of runs in the inning, crossing home thanks to a hit batter and a wild pitch.

That deficit held until the top of the fourth when F&M responded with two runs off of two hits and an error to even the game at 2-2. J.J. Freeman and Dan Baroff led off with back-to-back singles before Kann walked to load the bases. Kelsey Launi's fielder's choice scored Freeman and DiLoreto's sacrifice fly allowed Baroff to cross home plate. 

Starter Jonathan Cole provided seven solid innings, striking out seven and not being charged for an earned run. Reliever Matt Lawler (0-1) was dealt the loss after tossing 3 1/3 innings, striking out five and allowing the winning run.

Baroff finished with a 2-for-4 line with a run scored while DiLoreto was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

Game 2: William Paterson 1, F&M 0 (8 Innings)

Originally scheduled for seven frames, game two went extras and was decided by a one-out, RBI double in the bottom of the eighth that scored the winning run from first base.

The Diplomats managed just five hits in the contest and saw their best opportunity to score in the top of the third when Kevin Lammers notched an infield single and advanced to second off a passed ball. Justin Cavegn followed with a two-out walk, but F&M was put down swinging in the next at-bat. 

Starting pitcher Matt Devlin was lights out, keeping the Diplomats in the game with seven shutout innings, surrendering just three hits and striking out nine. Kyle Roche (0-2) suffered the loss out of the bullpen after being charged with an earned run in 1/3 innings of work.

Ian Metzger (2-0) secured the Pioneers' win with eight shutout innings and nine strikeouts.

Up Next 

F&M has a quick turnaround, traveling to Messiah on Monday for a 3:00 p.m. tilt.