FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Franklin & Marshall baseball team (9-8) picked up its eighth-consecutive win and seventh victory in the Sunshine State as the Diplomats defeated Saint Elizabeth (3-7), 11-6, Friday morning at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. F&M used a three-run third and a five-run sixth to cruise to the win in the contest.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the second, Jakob Hoffman launched his third home run of the season and 12th home run of his career to tie him for second in the F&M record books for career home runs.

Still trailing 2-1 in the third, Evan Varga singled through the left side and advanced to second as AJ Desautels drew a walk with one out. Spencer Berson ripped a double to the left center field gap to plate both runners, giving the Diplomats a 3-2 lead. Two batters later, Hoffman doubled to bring home Berson and add an insurance run.

Franklin & Marshall added a run in the bottom of the fourth to lead 5-2 as Tommy Denlinger scored on an error in the infield.

Holding a 5-2 advantage in the bottom of the sixth, the Diplomats added five runs in the bottom of the frame to extend the lead to 10-2. With Pat Elliott and Denlinger in scoring position, Andrew Filippelli hit a sacrifice fly to score Elliott and move Denlinger to third. The shortstop scored on the next at-bat as Varga singled to left center. F&M added two more runs in the inning as Desautels singled to score Varga and Ryan Rodriguez. Two batters later, Drew Butera singled to score Desautels to plate the fifth run of the frame.

The Eagles scored a combined four runs in the final two innings, but the deficit was too great to overcome as F&M hung on to win the game.

Hoffman led the game with three hits, followed by Butera and Varga each tallying two in the contest. Berson, Desautels, and Varga racked up two RBI each in the win.

Greg Nieskens (2-3) earned his second-straight victory on the mound as he struck out two and allowed one earned run in six innings of work.

Franklin & Marshall completes the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic as it plays Skidmore on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. to wrap up the Spring Break.