The Ursinus baseball team rallied after trailing 8-5 to tie Franklin and Marshall on a single from Austin Feuerman but fell short in the ninth losing 9-8, at Thomas field Friday afternoon.
Ursinus drops to 13-9, 5-3 in the Centennial Conference but still holds on to second place. Franklin and Marshall improve to 11-14 and 3-4 in the conference.
The Bears were led by freshman CJ Diana going 3-4 with one run scored, two RBI's and two doubles.
For the Diplomats Rob Anderson went 4-6 with two runs, four RBI's and two doubles including a game winning two out double.
In the first inning with two walks to put runners on first and second, Sophomore Chris Jablonski hit a double to deep center field to score the first two runs. Moments later CJ Diana lines the ball to deep center field to drive in two more runs to finish the inning 4-0.
The next inning F&M returned the favor with a bases loaded double by Rob Anderson. Later in the inning with runners on second and third, Brett Poniros singles to drive in another two runs to tie the game 4-4. At the Bottom of the inning Devin Kerr steals third but the catcher's throw skids past letting Kerr score and take a 5-4 lead.
F&M would go on to score the next four runs making it 8-5. In the bottom of the eighth inning the Bears rallied back starting off with a Jose Colon single and CJ Diana double putting runs of second and third with Vince Rondolone at the plate. On a 2-0 pitch Rondolone flies the ball to right field for the out but the throw to home hit Rondolone in the back allowing Colon to make it safe to home. Next Timo Muro doubled to right field putting Diana across the plate for another run. With two outs and runners at the corners Austin Feuerman lines a ground ball right past the first baseman's glove to tie the game 8-8 going into the 9th.
The Bears couldn't hold the Diplomats from taking the lead in the top of the 9th and were put down in order at the bottom, to end the game.
Ursinus will be back on the diamond tomorrow for a double header at Dickinson College.