COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall scored three times in the top of the fifth and one more time in the eighth as the Diplomats (14-6, 4-3 Centennial) opened a two-game series with Ursinus (12-6, 2-3 Centennial) by defeating the Bears 4-2 in eight innings on Tuesday.

The game was halted in the top of the ninth with one out due to heavy rain.

Four different players had two hits for the Diplomats, while shortstop Brett Poniros and designated hitter Dan Marano each drove in and scored a run.

For Ursinus, catcher Vince Terry was 3-for-3, with right fielder Austin Kurey and left fielder Timo Muro each getting two hits.

Ursinus took a 1-0 lead after one when first baseman Chris Jablonski homered to right fielder for the early lead, marking the third straight at-bat that he had homered.

In the second, Ursinus went up 2-0 when Kurey scored on a fielding error with two outs on a ball hit by center fielder Travis Kozak.

F&M used four doubles in the fifth to take the lead, as Marano, first baseman Luke Seib, Poniros and right fielder

Mike Smeriglio all had doubles. In the eighth, Marano drove in outfielder Brian Erb for a 4-2 lead.

Ursinus threatened in the seventh, getting two men on without an out but could not advance any runners home.

Starting pitcher Seth Regensburg took the loss, falling to 1-1. In seven innings, he struck out five and walked two. For F&M, Sean Cosgriff improved to 2-0 with a two strikeout, one walk performance in 6.1 innings. Andrew Mascis got his second save, giving up one hit in 1.2 innings of work. 

The two teams will resume the series on Friday afternoon at Clipper Magazine Stadium, the home of the Lancaster Barnstormers.