WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University baseball team smashed five home runs en route to its sixth-straight victory, and eighth win in its last nine, on Tuesday afternoon, defeating York (Pa.), 15-8, at Talbot Field. 

The Cardinals (10-5) have now had a player hit multiple home runs in the same game four times this season as junior Ben Nardi did the honors this time. 

Catholic scored six in the first and two in the second to pull out to an 8-1 lead, and would never look back.

Senior and reigning Landmark Conference player of the week Peter Giombetti got the scoring started, blasting a three run homer to left center field after junior Zach Burton reached on an error and Nardi doubled. Graduate student Billy Duke followed with a double, senior Matt Tesoriero singled and freshman Tommy DiGiorgio singled, all eventually crossing the plate in the first. 

Nardi then accounted for Catholic's next three runs. He smashed a two-run homer to left center, chasing York starter Steven Hendrix from the game with no outs in the second inning. During his next at-bat, Nardi repeated the feat, this time with a solo, line-drive over the right field wall. 

The right fielder went 3-for-5 on the day with two home runs, one double, three runs scored, and three RBIs.

Tesoriero followed Nardi's fourth-inning bomb with one of his own. His first of the season exited over the fence in straight-away center field and brought Giombetti to the plate, pushing the lead to 11-3.

After York the designated hitter hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 11-8, freshman Lucky Perrotto entered the game. He was able to get the final two out of the inning and get Catholic into the dugout. 

Perrotto pitched a clean sixth as well, aided by an insane Nardy full-extension, diving catch in right field to end the inning and strand Spartan runners on the first and third base. The catch came with the tying run at the plate and surely prevented at least one run from scoring, and likely two.

It remained a three-run game until the bottom of the seventh, when Burton stepped to the plate with the bases juiced. He hammered the first pitch of the at-bat over the left field wall and broke the game wide open with the grand slam. It marked the second home run of his career and his first this season.

Sophomore Danny Fitzgerald was phenomenal in relief for the Cardinals. He allowed no runs on just two hits and struck out four, earning his first save of the season by pitching three full innings.

Perrotto moves to 3-0 on the season and still has not allowed a run in five relief appearances. The freshman has only allowed three hits and three walks in 11.1 innings, while striking out 10.

Giombetti leads the team with seven home runs on the season, while Nardi joins sophomore Jesse Lacefield with three. Lacefield and Nardi also lead the team in batting average amongst players with more than 10 at-bats, hitting .350 and .346 respectively.

Catholic now turns its attention to Landmark Conference play. The Cardinals will open at home this Saturday, March 19, with a doubleheader against Drew. First pitch is set for noon at Talbot Field.