Emmitsburg, Md. (April 1, 2010)--Mount St. Mary's pounded out 17 hits, including 10 extra-base hits, to down Wagner, 12-2, in the opening game of a Northeast Conference four-game series at E.T. Straw Family Stadium on campus on Thursday afternoon.

After starting pitcher Costa Kapothanasis posted a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, the Mount (8-12, 4-1 NEC) struck for three runs in the bottom half of the frame to grab the early lead.

The first five batters all had a hit for the Mount off Wagner starter Ryan Van Spronsen. Leadoff hitter Tommy Flynn opened the bottom of the first with a solo home run, his second home run of the season. Mike Matta followed with a double to the left-center field gap and Jacob Darr then singled to left. Darr moved to second on the throw, but Matta was thrown out at home on the play trying to advance after Wagner threw to second to try and get Darr.

Kane and Shane Eyler followed with back-to-back RBI doubles to give the Mount a three-run lead.

Wagner's Vin Avella opened the top of the second with a solo home run to left, but the Mount was able to add to the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Mark Quaranta and Zach Helman singled to open the inning, putting runners on first and third with now outs for the Mount's Michael Foster. Foster then laced a double down the left field line to plate Quaranta for a 4-1 lead. Matta then added an RBI fielder's choice to score Foster.

Wagner (7-10, 4-1 NEC) catcher Gabby Ramirez hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth, but the Mount took control of the game with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Eyler led off the inning with a solo home run to left for his first home run of the year. Helman then added the big hit, a three-run blast to make the score 9-2.

The Mount sealed the win with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Darr's groundout to short plated Flynn to make the score 10-2 before Winter added a two-run double to center for the final runs of the game.

Kapothanasis had a solid start for the Mountaineers, allowing two runs in seven innings of work to move to 1-3 on the season. Wagner starter Van Spronsen allowed seven runs and 12 hits in four inings of work.

All nine of the Mount's starters had a hit in the game with six posting multiple-hit afternoons. Kane went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored while Foster was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Foster is 11-for-18 (.611) at the plate over his past five contests.

Matta went 2-for-5 with a stolen bases while Eyler and Winter each went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs. Winter added two doubles in the game and is now hitting a team-best .346 on the year. Helman addded a 2-for-5 day with three RBI. Flynn was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases for the Mountaineers.

The two teams resume the series with a noon doubleheader at the Mount's E.T. Straw Family Stadium tomorrow.