Diplomats Rally in Seventh Inning to Overcome William Paterson, 9-5

by William Paterson Sports Information
4/17/05

WAYNE, NJ -- Scott Haft (Sr., Jupiter, FL/Jupiter) went two-for-three with three runs scored and five runs batted in, including a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning, as Franklin & Marshall defeated William Paterson, 9-5, in non-conference action at the Pioneers’ Wightman Baseball Park.

Haft also hammered a bases clearing double with two outs in the seventh, highlighting a five-run frame for the Diplomats as Franklin & Marshall won its eighth straight.

Paterson’s Anthony Mazzo went one-for-two with three walks and a two-run double in the fifth, when the Pioneers (10-11) rallied for three runs and took a short-lived 3-2 lead. William Paterson left 10 runners on base, compared to three for F&M.

Haft put F&M ahead to stay with a two-run blast to right off Pioneers’ right-hander Anthony Pastore after third baseman Gary Kruger (Jr., East Islip, NY/East Islip) drew a one-out walk. Kruger also drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh and scored two runs, while left fielder Rich Gallugi (Fr., Peabody, MA/St. John's Prep) also scored two runs.

William Paterson mounted all of its offense in the fifth, highlighted by Mazzo's two-run double. Catcher Frank Muzikar also poked an RBI double to make the score 3-2 and chase F&M southpaw Todd Cagwin (Sr., Fayetteville, NY/Fayetteville-Manilus), who allowed four hits and three runs (two earned) while walking five and striking out three batters.

Left-hander Stephen Wurster (Fr., Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) earned his first victory after allowing only one hit over 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.

Pastore took the loss for the Pioneers by allowing five hits, seven runs (all earned) and five walks with a pair of strikeouts.

Franklin & Marshall (16-12, 9-3 Centennial Conference) will return to action on April 19 at home versus Swarthmore College. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.