READING, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall baseball team (6-10) showcased its offensive firepower as it collected 18 hits to score 18 runs in an 18-4 victory against Albright (3-9, 0-3 MAC) in Thursday afternoon's non-conference game. Bobby Falese had an incredible day at the plate as he drove in seven RBI on three hits, including a home run in the win. The seven runs batted in ties the program single-game record that was originally set by Dan Marano '19 during the Diplomats' 10-8 win over Messiah during the 2018 season.

F&M got the scoring started in the top of the second as Jakob Hoffman hammered his second home run of the season over the left field wall to put the Diplomats ahead, 1-0. However, Albright would quickly answer back with four runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead.

In the top of the third, Nolan McCloskey and Michael von Zuben notched back-to-back singles to start the inning. After Spencer Berson worked a walk to load the bases, Falese emptied them with a grand slam over the left center field fence to reclaim the lead for the Diplomats, 5-4. The grand slam was the senior's second of the season and the third of his career. The scoring didn't stop there as Drew Butera reached base on an error and came around to score two batters later - giving F&M a 6-4 advantage.

Still leading by two in the top of the fifth, F&M added to its lead as Berson roped a bases-loaded two-RBI double into left center to extend the Diplomats' lead to 8-4. The next batter, Falese brought in two more on a double into left field to push the lead to six. Falese would add one more run in the frame as he came around to score on an error to make the score 11-4.

After the Diplomats plated a runner in the top of the sixth, F&M went right back to work in the top of the seventh. Following a double by Conner Rush, Andrew Filippelli blasted his first home run of the season over the left center field fence to extend the lead to 14-4. The Diplomats would bring three runs across in the eighth and one run across in the ninth to bring its total to 18 runs on the day.

In addition to Falese's three-hit day, Butera also recorded three hits in the win. Berson drove in three RBI, while Filippelli and Hoffman each registered two RBI in the contest. On the bases, Butera and Ryan Rodriguez each recorded a stolen base in the victory.

Mateo Sucre (1-0) earned his first-career win on the mound with two strikeouts and no earned runs allowed in two innings of relief. Will O'Connor was tagged with a no-decision in his second start of the season. O'Connor struck out four, while allowing three earned runs in four innings of work. John McMahon ended the game on the mound for F&M – striking out three and keeping Albright off the scoreboard in two innings of relief.

Franklin & Marshall gets set to host its home opener on Friday as it welcomes Rutgers-Newark for a doubleheader, starting at 12:30 p.m.