Grantham, PA – For the second time in as many days the Falcons play in a high-scoring contest. However unlike yesterday, Messiah was on the losing end, falling to the Franklin and Marshall Diplomats 17-6 in a darkness-shortened affair.
 
After holding a 4-3 lead heading into the sixth inning the wheels fell off for the Falcons as they allowed 12 runs in the final three frames. Falcons' starter Brandon Shirk pitched a respectable five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out four.
 
In the top of the first it looked as if the Diplomats would strike first with runners at the corners and only one away, but Shirk induced a double play ball that ended the inning. In the bottom half of the frame the Falcons threatened with runners on second and third and only one out. However a strike out and a ground out ended the inning.
 
In the second the Diplomats did put the first runs on the board with consecutive two-out RBI hits.
 
In the bottom of the third the Falcons would get those two runs back. A double to center field by Derek Drake brought Zach Brubaker home with one away. Then with two outs, Kyle Schoen singled up the middle to bring around Drake.
 
The Diplomats took the lead right back in the top of the fourth when Christopher Vincent scampered home on a wild pitch, making the score 3-2. In the bottom of the frame, the Falcons countered with a run of their own on an error by the Franklin and Marshall catcher.
 
Messiah added another run in the fifth by way of a Diplomats' error and the Falcons held a 4-3 heading to the sixth, however in the sixth the Diplomats batted around and scored six runs on five hits.
 
With the Diplomats leading 9-4, the Falcons tallied twice in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring Messiah within two. Drake led the charge with his second home run in as many days when he crushed a solo shot down the left field line. Josh Good followed later in the inning with a single up the middle to score Joseph Saufley from third.
 
The Diplomats added a single run in the seventh on a wild pitch and seven runs in the top of the eighth to break the game open and burry the Falcons. Messiah had no counter in the seventh or eighth before darkness ended the game after the bottom of the eighth.
 
As mentioned Derek Drake led the way for the Falcons with a 3-4 day at the plate. Drake hit his second homer in as many days with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth. He drove in two runs while scoring two of his own on the afternoon.
 
Joseph Saufley (2-5), Kyle Schoen (2-3) and Ben Sollenberger (2-3) also collected multi-hit games for the Falcons.
 
Messiah will open a three-game series tomorrow afternoon when they take the field against the Hood Blazers at 3:30 p.m. at the Starry Athletic Complex.