LA VERNE, Calif. – The Franklin & Marshall baseball team (8-8) fell, 14-4, in eight innings to No. 8 La Verne (15-1) in the Diplomats' final game in California Saturday afternoon. After the Leopards gained a 4-0 edge, F&M stormed back with four runs of their own in the third inning. However, La Verne regained the lead in the fifth and didn't look back as the Leopards secured the series sweep over the Diplomats.

La Verne scored three runs in the first and one run in the second to take its early 4-0 advantage. F&M battled back in the top of the third as Nolan McCloskey and AJ Desautels hit back-to-back singles to start the frame. Bobby Falese brought both runners home with a two-RBI double into right center to reduce the deficit to 4-2. Tanner Wolpert followed with a double of his own to bring in Falese and get F&M within one. With two outs in the inning, Andrew Filippelli tied the game up at 4-4 with a clutch RBI-double to right center field to cap F&M's big inning.

F&M had chances to add runs earlier in the contest as the Diplomats loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second. F&M tried scoring the runner from third on a flyout to right field, but a good throw nailed the runner at the plate to get the Leopards out of the inning.

Filippelli led the Diplomats with two hits, while Falese brought home a team-high two RBI in the contest.

Luca Marshall (0-2) was hit with the loss, striking out three and allowing two earned runs in two innings of relief. Bijan Anvar earned a no-decision as he struck out two and allowed three earned runs in three innings-pitched.

Franklin & Marshall returns home to host Lebanon Valley at Penn Medicine Park on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.