LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall baseball team (3-2) fell in the rubber match of its three-game series with Hobart (6-1), 16-5, in seven innings during Sunday afternoon's non-conference contest. A seven-run fourth inning broke open the game for the Statesmen to secure the series win over the Diplomats.

Hobart took an early 1-0 advantage on a two-out single in the top of the first to open the scoring. After two quiet innings at the plate, F&M responded in the bottom of the third. Three-consecutive hit batters loaded the bases with one out in the frame. Michael von Zuben roped an RBI-single into right field to tie the game up. The next batter, Matt Hollender drew a walk to plate Nolan McCloskey to give the hosts a 2-1 lead. Gideon Schwartz followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to extend the Diplomats' lead to 3-1.
The Statesmen rallied in the top of the fourth, notching four hits and drawing five walks to drive in seven runs as the visitors took an 8-3 lead in the contest.

Hobart led 12-3 in the bottom of the fifth when F&M began to chip away at the deficit. Zac Fuscaldo led off the frame by ripping a single into center field. After Fuscaldo advanced to second on a wild pitch, von Zuben laced a double into left field to score the first-year for the Diplomats' fourth run of the game. Von Zuben later came around to score two batters later to reduce the deficit to seven.

F&M trailed 15-5 in the bottom of the sixth with one final opportunity to cut into the Hobart lead. Two hit batters and a walk to Tommy Truzzolino loaded the bases with two outs. However, a strikeout allowed Hobart to escape the jam with no damage.

Landon Hallett, Hollender, and von Zuben all recorded two hits each in the game. Schwartz and von Zuben led F&M with two RBI each in the contest.

Luca Marshall (0-1) was hit with the loss, striking out five and allowing five earned runs in 3.1 innings pitched.

Franklin & Marshall looks to bounce back when it travels to play York (Pa.) Thursday at 3:00 p.m.