UNION, N.J. – The Franklin & Marshall baseball team (0-2) dropped both games of its season-opening doubleheader to Kean in Saturday afternoon's non-conference showdown. The Cougars rolled to a 7-1 win in game one before taking the second game of the doubleheader, 1-0.

Game 1: Kean 7, F&M 1

The Diplomats jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Kean used a big four-run sixth inning to roll past F&M in game one.

Tommy Denlinger claimed the first hit of the 2023 campaign for the Diplomats as he laced a single up the middle to leadoff the game. After Spencer Berson drew a four-pitch walk, Denlinger advanced to third on a passed ball to put runners at the corners. Berson took off for second on a steal attempt, but the throw from Kean's catcher sailed into center field – allowing Denlinger to score.

The Cougars plated the tying run in the third inning and later took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kean broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth as the hosts scored four runs in the frame to jump out to a 6-1 lead.

Kyle Roche (0-1) was tagged with the loss, tossing three strikeouts and allowing four hits and one earned run in five innings of work.

Game 2: Kean 1, F&M 0

The teams battled in game two, but it was a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning that proved to be the difference as Kean hung on to complete the sweep.

The Diplomats struggled to find anything offensively as F&M was held to just three hits through six innings. In the top of the seventh, Pat Elliott punched a one-out single into left field. AJ Desautels followed with a single down the right field line to advance Elliott to third. Despite the Diplomats piecing together a scoring threat, the Cougars got out of the jam with an inning-ending double play.

Greg Nieskens (0-1) was hit with the loss as he recorded three strikeouts, giving up one earned run in five innings pitched.

Offensively, Elliott led the Diplomats with two hits in game two.

Franklin & Marshall now travels to play a non-conference game against Cabrini on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.