LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall baseball team (5-2) was defeated, 10-7, in the rubber match of its series against RIT (3-2) Sunday afternoon at Penn Medicine Park. A three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning was the difference in the contest as the Tigers secured the series-win over the Diplomats.

After RIT jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the third, F&M began chipping away at the deficit in the bottom-half of the frame. AJ Desautels worked a lead-off walk and then stole two bases to get to third. Nick DiGiacomo brought Desautels home on an RBI-groundout to cut the RIT lead to 4-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, F&M loaded the bases for Colin Mackenzie to rip a two-RBI single into centerfield to get the Diplomats within a run. A hit batter loaded the bases once again to set up a two-RBI single from Bobby Falese to give Franklin & Marshall the lead, 5-4.

The Diplomats added on in the sixth inning as Falese knocked a two-RBI double into left field to score Mackenzie and Desautels, bringing the lead to 7-4.

The Tigers responded by plating three runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to take the game and win the series.

Falese and Mackenzie each recorded multi-hit games. Falese tallied four RBI, while Mackenzie drove in two runs for the Diplomats. F&M stole four bases in the game with Desautels swiping two in the contest.

David McGeorge (1-1) was tagged with the loss as he tossed two strikeouts, while allowing six earned runs in five innings of relief. Luca Marshall started the game for the Diplomats, striking out five and allowing one earned run in four innings of work.

Franklin & Marshall wraps up its home stand on Tuesday, hosting York (Pa.) at 3:00 p.m.