BOX SCORE

ALTOONA, Pa. (April 12) - Senior shortstop Brad Burkardt broke the Saint Vincent all-time hits record with a four-hit performance as the Bearcats pounded out 16 hits in a 10-5 win non-conference win at Penn State-Altoona.

With the win, the Bearcats improve to 12-8 on the season while PSU-Altoona drops to 8-19 this year.

Burkardt broke the record with his 184th career hit in his second at-bat, which came in the third inning. The senior from Latrobe hit a ball to the hole between shortstop and third base and reached on an infield single before advancing to second base on a throwing error by the shortstop. After grounding into a double play in his first trip to the plate, Burkardt rallied to go 4-for-4 in his final four plate appearances, including two doubles and two runs scored.

The first base hit of Burkardt's career, a single to right field, came on February 28, 2010. It was his first collegiate game as a freshman, a 28-1 loss against Beloit (Wisc.) at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. Three years, one month and 16 days later, he stands alone atop the career hits list at Saint Vincent, surpassing two-time NAIA All-American Danny Consuegra (2003-06).

SVC opened the scoring in the top of the second inning with a pair of runs. With one out, Joey Fearer singled and Andrew Kozusko followed with a hit-by-pitch. A single by Tanner Master loaded the bases and Jordan Britcher delivered a two-run single that hit off the first base bag and careened into right field.

In the third inning, the Bearcats added a run when Michael Vrbanic walked and went to third on Burkardt's record-breaking hit. Vrbanic came in to score on a ground out by Grant Krally.

Another two runs crossed the plate in the third inning with two outs. Britcher singled and Vince Murphy reached on an error that allowed Britcher to go to third base. After Murphy stole second, AJ Kavinsky delivered a two-run single to center field.

Burkardt led off the seventh inning with a double and scored on an RBI single by Fearer, who finished 3-for-5. Kozusko followed by being hit by a pitch for the second time and Master reached on an error to load the bases. Britcher delivered a sacrifice fly to center field and Murphy singled to plate Kozusko, 9-2.

SVC added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning, making it 10-5, the eventual final.

Jared Haller started and went 7.0 innings in improving to 5-2. He scattered 10 hits and four runs (two earned) while walking none and striking out four, putting him over 100 strikeouts in 1.5 seasons as a Bearcat.

Alex Kozusko and Gary Gerhardt each worked 1.0 innings in relief, with Alex Kozusko surrendering two hits and an earned run, while Gerhardt walked two and struck out two.

SVC returns to action on Sunday, April 14, hosting La Roche at 4 p.m. at Bearcat Ballfield.

NOTE: Saint Vincent and Penn State-Altoona were originally scheduled to play two-seven inning games, but due to wet weather conditions that pushed back the start time, changed to one nine-inning contest.