WESTMINSTER, Md. – Franklin & Marshall scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning to erase a 5-1 deficit and defeat the McDaniel College baseball team 7-5 on Tuesday from Preston Field.
The Green Terror (6-5) fell to the Diplomats (6-2) for the first time since April 6
th, 2024, having won the last three matchups in the series.
An RBI-single plated the game's first run for Franklin & Marshall in the third inning, but McDaniel responded in the bottom half with an RBI-groundout from senior
Zach Gaeta that scored sophomore
Thomas Mezzullo to tie the contest 1-1.
The game remained tied until the eighth inning, when the Green Terror exploded for four runs to take the lead. A leadoff triple from junior
DJ Stolba set the stage for sophomore
Henry Novario to hit an RBI-single into right field, scoring Stolba and giving McDaniel the lead, 2-1. A two-run single from senior
Ben Davis increased the lead to 4-1, and sacrifice fly from sophomore
Cameron Simon plated a fourth run in the inning for the Green Terror, making the score 5-1 entering the ninth.
The Diplomats then rallied in the ninth, scoring on a fielding error to cut the deficit to three before scoring on an RBI-double into left center field to make the score 5-3. A sacrifice fly cut the deficit to one, and a two-run pinch-hit double gave Franklin & Marshall a 6-5 lead. The Diplomats tacked on another run on an RBI-single and escaped a jam in the bottom half to complete the comeback.
Mezzullo had a three-hit day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a triple and a run scored. Stolba collected two hits in five at-bats while Davis, Simon, Gaeta and Novario all finished the day with RBIs.
Senior
Tyson Nercessian took the loss in relief, allowing five earned runs on five hits and one walk. Junior
Jake Younggot the start, pitching five innings while totaling three strikeouts, no walks, one earned run and five hits allowed.
The Green Terror return to Preston Field on Thursday to face The College of New Jersey in a non-conference tilt. First pitch is scheduled for 3 pm.
