WINTER HAVEN, FL (March 15, 2012) – Despite jumping out a 5-0 entering the bottom of the second inning, the Vassar College baseball team dropped its fifth contest in a row, 8-7 to Franklin and Marshall College at the Chain of Lakes complex.

The Brewers (0-5) will try once more for their first win of the year, facing Westfield State College Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Park Field #1.

Franklin and Marshall produced the winning run in the eighth inning with two outs. Aaron Gillette commenced the rally with a double to deep center, and moved to third on a bunt single. After a walk, Gillette scampered home on a wild pitch. Despite loading the bases again, Vassar relieverZachary Prudoff was able to escape without any more damage.

The Vassar offense was strong from the outset plating a run in the first and four in the second. Center fielder Liam Lee led off the game with a single to left field and moved to second when designated hitter Brett Zaziski was hit by a pitch two batters later. Second baseman Dave Robbins loaded the bases with a single to the shortstop before third baseman Jason Garfinkeldrew a walk to give Vassar the first run of the game. With the bases still loaded, Parker Werlinegrounded into a double play to end the Brewers' threat.

The top of the second began with a similarly strong showing from the Vassar hitters. Scott Allenbegan the inning by lacing a double to left-center field. Junior catcher A.J. Kim battled off an 0-2 pitch to single through the middle, advancing Allen to third. Right fielder Sean Morash kept the rally going with a blooper to right field that scored Allen, followed by Lee drawing a walk to load the bases again and chase Franklin and Marshall starter Eric Herbst. Third baseman Kyle Caseydelivered two more runs with a seeing-eye-single through the right side. Two batters later, Lee and Casey executed a double steal to put two more runners in scoring position for Robbins. Robbins came through with an RBI ground out to put Vassar up 5-0.

The Diplomats responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, putting the first two guys on with singles off Vassar starter John MacGregor. Two batters later the Diplomats put two on the board when right fielder Connor Devlin delivered a double. Catcher Joe Gallitto knocked in the team's third run with a single with a single to left field.

Franklin and Marshall scored twice more in the bottom of the third knotting the game at five with a walk, two singles and a fielder's choice producing the runs.

In the fifth, the Diplomats went up by a run manufacturing their sixth run after first baseman J.T. Triantos reached on a bunt single, stole second and third and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Vassar went up by a run in the top of the sixth when Morash led off the inning with a double, advanced to third on a ground out by Lee and scored on a sacrifice fly by Casey. Zaziski produced the go-ahead run on his own with a bases-empty bomb to right field.

Franklin and Marshall leveled the game once more producing an unlikely seventh run. MacGregor struck out the first three batters of the inning, with the last of them reaching base on a wild pitch on the third strike. After another wild pitch advanced the runner to second, shortstop Alex Vescera tied the game with a single to left.

Andrew Green got the win for Franklin and Marshall, while Prudoff took the loss for the Brewers. Paul Giulio earned the save for the Diplomats.