LANCASTER, Pa. - The host Franklin & Marshall College used a five-run first inning to build up a lead that they would never relinquish as they staved off a late Dickinson rally to secure an 8-4 Centennial Conference win at Caplan Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Time of Game - 2:55
Pitching Decision
W - Bijan Anvar (5-1) | L - Austin Buzza (4-3) | S - Shane Rebane (1)

Inside the Game
After the Red Devils went down "one-two-three" against Bijan Anvar to start the game the Diplomats went to work in the bottom of the first and took a 2-0 lead three batters in when with one-out a single from Tommy Denlinger led to a two-run shot by Bobby Falese off of DC starter Austin Buzza. Then, with two gone and a man on a base-hit from Spencer Berson began a string of three straight hits leading to three more runs coming in for the 5-0 advantage through one. Derek Smith became the Devils first runner with a leadoff free pass in the top of the second, but would not make it all the way around. Unfortunately for the Red and White the home side added two more in the bottom-half thanks to a walk, triple and a wild pitch.

The Dickinson offense continued to struggle getting on track over the next two innings, while Pat Metzger took over on the hill for Buzza and allowed three base-runners but did not give up a hit. The Red and White finally got going during the fifth as with one-out Christian Kim doubled to right, before coming home on a knock "up the box" from Dylan Posencheg. After advancing to third on a passed ball he would score on a sacrifice fly to left off the stick of Nathan Bowman to close the gap to 7-2. Kenny Tagliareni tried to keep the train rolling with a single, but was then caught stealing to retire the side. Thomas Marshman became the third DC pitcher of the afternoon to start the last of the fifth and was solid over his two frames of work giving up no runs and just two hits to keep the visitors within striking distance. 

The game remained 7-2 into the last of the seventh when Peyton Fox went to the mound in place of Marshman and despite issuing three walks he would strike out the side. The Red and White found two runs during the eighth as Tagliareni doubled to right before Andrew Mazzone reached on an error to leave men at the corners with one-away. That brought Grant Burgess out of the bullpen and he immediately gave up an RBI groundout to Kaden Sigmon. Then, after Smith walked, Matt Torres reached on the second Diplomat error of the inning to "fill the pillows" for Ryan Thompson. He also got to first base courtesy of an F&M miscue to plate the second run of the frame and cut the deficit to 7-4. The home side used two singles along with a DC error to pull one run back heading into the ninth. 

With the Devils facing "last call" Posencheg walked and Tagliareni sent one through the right-side to put two on with one away for Mazzone. He would hit into a fielder's choice that put him on first, but had Tagliareni get forced out at second to leave men on the corners. Unfortunately, the threat came to an end when Sigmon tapped out to second to end the game.

The On-Deck Circle
Dickinson (21-13-1, 9-5 Centennial) will wrap-up their two-game set with the Diplomats on Friday afternoon at MacPhail Field. First pitch is slated for 3:30pm. Read Full Article