Emmitsburg, Md. (April 9, 2008)--Senior Josh Vittek broke the Mount St. Mary’s career home run record in a 12-3 loss at Maryland tonight.  The 6-4 first baseman belted a two-run homer in the third inning for his 29^th career long ball, breaking the mark of 28 set by Will Vanjonack (1997-99).

Maryland (20-14) took control of the game with a seven run first inning.  The first four batters reached base for the Terrapins in the inning with Jensen Pupa had an RBI single before Chad Durakis singled down the left field line for a 3-0 lead.  Gerry Spessard then blasted a three-run homer which was followed by a A.J. Casario solo shot to make the score 7-0.

Vittek answered the Terrapin inning with his record-breaking homer in the third.  With two outs, Drew Counselman drew a walk, setting the stage for Vittek’s two-run blast that cut the Maryland lead to 7-2.  It was Vittek’s team-leading fifth home run of the year and his third over the past five games.

Maryland, however, answered with a two-run double in the bottom of the third for a 9-2 Maryland lead.  In the fifth, the Mount (4-19) got three straight singles to cut the lead to 9-3.  Alex Andrews and Shane Eyler opened the innings with base hits before Zach Helman’s RBI single drove home Andrews.  Maryland added a single run in the sixth and two in the eighth to close out the scoring.

Counselman was 2-for-3 in the game to pace the Mount offense.  Casario went 4-for-4 to lead Maryland.

The Mount returns to action on Friday with a 3:00 p.m. game against Northeast Conference rival Central Connecticut State at Straw Family Stadium on campus.