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SAN ANTONIO, TX – Trinity University centerfielder Nick Vera went two-for-two with a home run, two walks, two RBI and four runs scored as the Tigers defeated Franklin & Marshall College 15-3 in the rubber match of a three game series. Following a 6-1 win in game one by Trinity (10-5) and a 7-5 F&M (2-3, 0-0 Centennial Conference) victory in game two on March 11, the Tigers used seven runs in the fifth inning of game three and three runs in the seventh and eighth innings to down the Diplomats and take the series 2-1. The teams traded runs in the second and third innings as for a 1-1 game after three full innings of play. Trinity struck first in the game as Vera walked to lead off the second inning and advanced to second base on a balk by F&M starting pitcher EJ Leary (Sr., Seymour, CT/Seymour). Following a ground out and a strikeout, Vera stole third base and later scored on a balk for a 1-0 Tigers lead. F&M answered in the third inning as Tom Miller (So., York, PA/Central York) walked, moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Andrew Hanson (Fr., Lansdale, PA/Germantown Academy) and scored on an RBI single by Dan Hanecak (Sr., Conestoga, PA/Lancaster Catholic) through the left side of the infield to tie the score at 1-1. The Diplomats took the lead in the top of the fourth as Corey Caruthers (Sr., Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) tripled with one out and scored on a throwing error to go in front 2-1. Trinity tied the game in the bottom of the inning as Bobby Zabor reached and advanced to second on an infield error, stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Vera. The Tigers broke the game open in the fifth inning with five runs to go ahead 9-2 before tacking on three runs in the seventh and eighth for a 15-2 lead. Franklin & Marshall closed out the game with a run in the top of the ninth inning as pinch-hitter Shea Moriarity (Fr., Wilton, CT/Wilton) singled back to the mound with one out and advanced to second on a throwing error by Trinity reliever Matt Berning. Following a strikeout, Matt Donahue (So., Westwood, NJ/Bergen Catholic) reached on a fielding error at second base to put runners on the corners with two outs before Mark Minutaglio (So., Armonk. NY/Byram Hills) singled up the middle to plate Moriarity for the 15-3 final score. On the mound, Leary took the loss allowing six runs on four hits and two walks in 4.2 innings, while Trinity starter Drew Bignall picked up the win going seven innings with two runs on four hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. Franklin & Marshall (2-3, 0-0 Centennial Conference) will continue the season on March 13 at Texas Lutheran University. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.
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