WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Despite an early lead and a strong performance by starting pitcher Tristan Helmick, Lafayette fell 10-3 to William & Mary at Plumeri Park on Friday afternoon.

Lafayette opened the scoring in the second inning when Bode Grieve launched his first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field. The Leopards added another run in the third after Boden Fernsler doubled and came in to score on a bases-loaded walk to Jack Mislan. Fernsler extended the lead to 3-0 in the top of the seventh with a solo home run of his own.

The Lafayette lead evaporated in the bottom of the seventh. Following a double by Trey Christman and a single by Louie Bartletti, Matthew Kosuda hit a three-run home run to tie the game, 3-3. The Tribe then broke the game open in the eighth inning, scoring seven runs on just one hit in the frame, making the final score 10-3.

Tristan Helmick provided a quality start for the Leopards, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing just two runs on three hits with four strikeouts. Ben Waterman took the loss, surrendering seven runs on two hits in 0.2 innings of work. Hank Lippman earned the win for William & Mary in relief. Lippman did not allow a hit or while striking out five in 2.1 innings of work.

Offensively, Lafayette registered seven hits to William & Mary's five. Fernsler led the way, going 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. Alex Barrist also recorded a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4. Other contributors included Matt Colella, who went 1-for-2 and stole a base.

The Leopards will continue their series with William and Mary with a game on Saturday at 4 p.m.