LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall junior infielder Matt Will and junior catcher Russell Tischler each had three hits as the Diplomats (8-9-1, 3-2 Centennial) took the opening game of a two-game series with Ursinus (8-10, 0-5 Centennial) 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon.

The Diplomats pounded out 12 hits on the way to the win.

For the Bears, senior right fielder Bret Umstead (Green Lane, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) was 2-for-4, while senior catcher Chris Fusco (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) and sophomore second baseman Lou Argentine (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) each had a run scored.

The Bears trailed 1-0 after three senior infielder Bill Murray doubled home Will for a 1-0 lead.

Ursinus, who was held hitless after the first three innings, got a one-out single from Umstead but could not get him home.

Freshman pitcher A.J. Wright (Holland, Pa./Council Rock South) went the first four innings, allowing just one run and five hits. He struck out three and walked two. He took the loss

In the fifth, F&M tacked on four more runs as the Dips got a two-run double from senior infielder Jason Anderson in the inning. All four runs came off of sophomore relief pitcher Steve Christakos (Rockville, Md./Walter Johnson).

The Bears looked to rally in the eighth as Fusco and Argentine had back-to-back singles. After sophomore infielder Brandon Sullivan (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) singled up the middle to load the bases, Umstead drove home Fusco for the Bears’ first run. Argentine would later come home on a RBI groundout by junior third baseman Rob Vogt (Basking Ridge, N.J./Seton Hall Prep).

On a deep fly by senior outfielder Tommy Clarke (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon), Sullivan attempted to score on the out, but was thrown out at the plate.

Ursinus will host PSU-Brandywine Thursday.