Box Score Baseball
Lebanon Valley 9, Franklin & Marshall 5

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Two big innings vaulted Lebanon Valley past Franklin & Marshall Sunday afternoon in a 9-5 win.

The Dutchmen (19-15) tagged Diplomats' starter Chris Matthewson for four runs on two hits and two walks in the first, forcing the lefty's early exit. Ryan Schwartz led off and later scored on a bases-loaded walk by Phill Dohner. Colt Zarilla made use of the juiced bases on an RBI fielder's choice that scored Jordan Witmer from third. The final two runs of the frame -scored by Zarilla and Aaron Mills - both crossed on a fielding error by the third baseman.

LVC broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the third on a homerun by Mills that hung and carried in the wind and landed in the visiting bullpen in right field. The shot was Mills' team-leading fifth of the season.

The Diplomats (16-17) scored their final run of the game in the top of the fifth, tying the score at 5-5.

LVC starter Jason Barthold (4-0) threw five innings allowing all five runs - though just four were earned. He allowed six hits but no walks with a strikeout.

His teammates earned him the win in the bottom of the fifth, putting three runs on the board. Aaron Mills smashed an RBI double to left center and Jordan Higgins and John Hildebrand plated runs on a fielder's choices.

Derek Brousseau and Witmer led the inning off with back-to-back singles. Mills followed with a sac fly to center that brought Brousseau home for the team's final run, the senior's 100th career RBI.

Mills finished the day 3 for 3 with three runs and three RBIs. Witmer's single in the eighth was his second of the game and 100th of his career at LVC. He scored two runs. Higgins batted 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Jimmie Miller pitched four scoreless innings in relief for LVC, allowing just three hits with two strikeouts.

The Dutchmen host Delaware Valley Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.