WESTMINSTER, Md. - Franklin & Marshall dropped a close one on the road this Sunday, falling late to Washington 2-1 in non-conference action. Washington walked things off in the bottom of the ninth to squeak by F&M. The Diplomats fell to 7-4, while the Shoremen improved to 13-6 overall.

F&M got on the board early in the first, as J.J. Freeman continued his hot stretch with a double to right-center that advanced Bobby Falese to third. Jakob Hoffman lifted a long fly ball to center, scoring Falese for the 1-0 lead.

The Diplomats held steady through the majority of the game, with Chris Sanzone tossing four innings of two-hit ball, and Noah Jordan and Jared Schott combining for another two innings of scoreless baseball.

The tide started to turn in the seventh inning, as Washington took advantage of some Diplomat hiccups to tie the game. After F&M left the bases loaded in the top half, the Shoremen worked a walk, moved the runner to second on a sacrifice, then to third on a Diplomat error. A two-out single up the middle tied the game at one apiece.

Brooks Rush turned in a one-two-three eighth to keep things level.

F&M once again had a chance at more runs in the top of the ninth, as Pat Elliott slapped a one-out single to right, then stole second and third with two outs. Elliott would be stranded just 90 feet from home, as a strikeout ended the inning.

Washington capitalized in the bottom half, smacking a triple and double in back-to-back hitters to open the inning for the 2-1 final.

Charlie Wright (0-1) picked up the loss. J.J. Freeman and Pat Elliott both turned in two-hit games, while Evan Varga picked up the only other Diplomat hit.

Up Next:

The Diplomats return home for Centennial Conference action on Saturday, April 24th against Dickinson. Opening pitches scheduled for noon and 3pm.