WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Franklin & Marshall baseball rolled to 5-1 and 15-11 victories over Clarkson on Sunday, behind an eight-RBI day from Bobby Falese. The Diplomats (5-3) also had a stellar pitching effort in game one from Greg Nieskens and Brooks Rush who paired for a two-hitter in the seven inning win over the Golden Knights (2-2).

Game 1: F&M 5, Clarkson 1 (7 innings)

Clarkson opened the scoring in the top of the second, turning a leadoff single into an unearned run off a Diplomat error.

F&M answered back in the bottom of the third, as Tommy Denlinger singled, stole second, then touched home on an AJ Desautels triple. Will Samuel then landed on second after getting plunked and stealing a bag, setting the stage for a two-run double from Bobby Falese. Steven Rizzo singled home Falese for a 4-1 advantage after three.

An RBI single from Falese in the next inning added an insurance run for the Diplomats.

While the Diplomats were busy scoring, Greg Nieskens and Brooks Rush stymied the Golden Knights bats, retiring 15 of the final 16 batters to secure the 5-1 final.

Bobby Falese ended 2-3 with three RBI to pace the F&M offense. Steven Rizzo and Tommy Denlinger also finished with 2-3 mornings, with Rizzo driving in one and Denlinger touching home twice.

Greg Nieskens twirled a gem, throwing five innings of two-hit baseball, striking out three. Brooks Rush finished the contest with two innings of hitless relief while punching out two.

Game 2: F&M 15, Clarkson 11 (7 innings)

The Diplomats wasted little time in the rubber match, loading the bases with one away as Spencer Berson singled, Will Samuel walked, and Jakob Hoffman was plunked. Steven Rizzo doubled home a pair, then Drew Butera did the same just one batter later to give F&M a 4-0 lead.

Clarkson pulled one back in the bottom half of the frame, knocking an RBI single to trim the F&M lead to 4-1.

Bobby Falese continued his hot stretch, doubling home Will Samuel for a 5-1 lead in the second.

The Golden Knights caught fire, knocking a two-run dinger over the fence, then loading the bases and getting another run out of a 4-6-3 double play. Some pitches got away from the Diplomats' relievers in the third, as additional runs touched home on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch, then a passed ball for a 6-5 Clarkson lead.

F&M took the lead for good in the fifth, tying the game on a Conner Rush single that plated Drew Butera as the first two batters. After a Tommy Denlinger walk, Grant Burgess forced the issue with a sac bunt attempt intended to move the runners a base. Instead, Burgess landed on second base after an errant throw from the third baseman, scoring both existing runners. Bobby Falese then knocked home Burgess with a double for a 9-6 advantage.

Clarkson refused to go away quietly, knocking a two RBI single in the bottom half of the frame to make it a one run game, 9-8, entering the sixth.

The Diplomats exploded in the top of the seventh, putting the game out of reach. Michael Cole cracked a double, followed by a Tommy Denlinger walk to put two runners on. After a wild pitch advanced both runners, Grant Burgess was intentionally walked to load the bases. Spencer Berson was plunked to bring home one, then Will Samuel reached on an error by the first baseman to plate another for an 11-8 lead.

Enter Bobby Falese. A bases clearing double from the sophomore utility player doubled the F&M lead to 14-8, and gave Falese his eighth RBI of the day. Jakob Hoffman brought Falese home on a groundout to tack on one more.

The Golden Knights made a game of it in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with no one out off a walk and a pair of singles. A sac fly, single, and ground out brought home three, but Noah Jordan struck out the final batter to close the 15-11 win.

Bobby Falese finished 3-4 with five RBI and a walk, as all three of his hits landed for doubles. Drew Butera and Conner Rush both finished with multi-hit games, while Butera and Steven Rizzo had multi-RBI outings. Will Samuel touched home plate three times, while Spencer Berson scored twice.

The entire Diplomats starting lineup scored runs, as all but one F&M batter touched home plate.

Dan Galef went 2.1 innings, giving up six runs (five earned) before exiting early. Bijan Anvar earned his first career victory, tossing 2.1 innings in relief, giving up three hits and two runs while walking and striking out four.

Next Up:

The Diplomats continue their stretch in Florida with a single game against Endicott on Monday afternoon beginning at 2:00 p.m.