MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The Franklin & Marshall baseball team (12-9) split its nonconference doubleheader at No. 23 Montclair State (9-2) Friday evening. The Diplomats erupted for a 12-2 victory in game one before falling 8-2 in game two.

Game 1: F&M 12, No. 23 Montclair State 2

Highlighted by a three-run home run from Drew Butera in the top of the seventh, F&M plated 10 runs in the final three innings to cruise to a 12-2 victory over the Red Hawks in game one.

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fourth, Butera led off the frame with a single to right center field. After Pat Elliott drew a four-pitch walk, Conner Rush ripped a single into center field to score Butera - tying the game. AJ Desautels and Spencer Berson drew back-to-back walks to bring in the go-ahead run for the Diplomats.

F&M added to its lead in the top of the seventh as Berson and Jakob Hoffman both singled to set up Butera who cleared the left center field fence for his second home run of the season - extending the Diplomats' lead to 5-1.

Montclair State added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but F&M's offense continued to stay aggressive as the Diplomats loaded the bases with no outs in the inning. Hoffman scorched a single through the left side to bring home Desautels, pushing the lead to 6-2. After Butera worked a walk to score Berson, Bobby Falese crossed the plate on an RBI-groundout from Pat Elliott. A single from Andrew Filippelli scored Hoffman to extend the F&M lead to 9-2.

F&M added three more runs in the top of the ninth as Falese launched a three-run home run over the left field fence for his first homer of the season.

The Diplomats racked up 14 hits in the game with Denlinger leading the game with three of his own. Berson, Butera, Falese, and Hoffman tallied two hits each in the contest. Butera drove in four RBI, followed by Falese plating three RBI in the win.

Dan Galef (3-0) was the winning pitcher in game one, striking out four while allowing just three hits and no earned runs in five innings of work.

Game 2: No. 23 Montclair State 8, F&M 2

The Red Hawks got off to a hot start, scoring seven runs in the first two frames to roll past F&M, 8-2, in game two - snapping the Diplomats winning streak at 11 games.

Franklin & Marshall collected both of its runs in the top of the seventh inning. Falese led off the frame with a double and later advanced to third on a wild pitch during the following at-bat. Butera roped a single to score Falese, tallying his fifth RBI of the doubleheader. Butera then circled the bases on three wild pitches to score F&M's second run of the game.

Offensively, Butera, Denlinger, and Falese each tallied a hit for the Diplomats in the game.

Greg Nieskens (2-4) was hit with the loss in game two, striking out three and allowing five earned runs in three innings on the mound. Shane Rebane pitched well in relief, striking out three while allowing just one hit and no earned runs in two innings on the rubber.

Franklin & Marshall gets set for a midweek contest at TCNJ Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. before beginning Centennial Conference play at Swarthmore on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.