Emmitsburg, Md. (April 27, 2007)--Junior Josh Vittek blasted two home runs to lead Mount St. Mary's to a 6-2 win over Sacred Heart in Northeast Conference action at E.T. Straw Family Stadium on campus. The win extended the Mount's win streak to six, matching the school's Division I record for consecutive wins set in 2004. The game is the first of a four-game series between the top two teams in the NEC standings.

Vittek was 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI to pace the Mount to the victory. He is now tied for second in the league with eight home runs on the season, two behind teammate Ryan Murray. Ivor Hodgson was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored while Eric Smith added two hits and a double in the victory.

Phil Tantillo was 2-for-3 with two RBI while Bobby McKee and Jeff Hanson added two hits each in the loss. Starter Chris Howard allowed six runs and nine hits in 7.2 innings to take the loss.

Mount St. Mary's starter Dustin Pease (6-4) struck out eight while allowing two runs in the complete game victory. Pease set down 11 straight batters at one point in the game.

The Mount (23-16, 10-3 NEC) struck first with a run in the bottom of the second off Howard. Smith doubled to lead off the inning, moved to third on a ground out, and scored on Matt Trusch's two-out single through the left side of the infield.

Vittek gave the Mount a 3-0 advantage when he blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs and no one on base, Hodgson doubled before Vittek's home run.

The Pioneers (18-19, 8-4 NEC) answered with two runs in the top of the fourth. McKee singled to open the inning, but was promptly picked off by Pease. Hanson followed with a single and Rob Tencza doubled down the left field line to put runners on second and third with two out. After Frank Bainer walked, Tantillo roped a two-run single to left to cut the Mount lead to 3-2. Pease thwarted the rally by striking out Justin Mulrain to end the inning.

Vittek gave the Mount a two-run lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth. The Mount added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth to seal the win. In the eighth, the Mount again rallied with no one on base and two outs. Hodgson and Vittek singled to put runners on first and second for Smith, who singled to left to plate Hodgson. Murray then laced a single to center field to plate pinch runner Matt Staso with the final run of the game.

The teams meet tomorrow with a doubleheader at noon at E.T. Straw Family Stadium on campus.

Game Notes...The Mount holds a one and one-half game lead in the standings over Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart...The Mount is 11-1 over its past 12 games and is 20-7 over its past 27 contests...Eric Smith tied the Mount's school record for runs scored in the Division I era with his run in the game...Smith and Tommy Merical (1999-2001) each have 114 runs scored in their career...Smith's double was his team-leading 15th of the season...Pease has tossed three straight complete games.