(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) - Junior designated hitter Ryan Darner (Burlington, Ky./Covington Catholic) hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the third inning to help lead the 18th-ranked Thomas More College baseball team to a, 15-7, win over Waynesburg University today (Saturday, March 24, 2012) in both teams' Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opener at Thomas More Field in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.

With the win, the Saints improve to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in the PAC and with the loss, the Yellow Jackets fall to 9-4 overall and 0-1 in the PAC.

Thomas More scored one run in the first, eight in the third, two in the sixth, three in the seventh and one in the eighth, while it held Waynesburg to four in the fourth, two in the sixth and one in the ninth for the 15-7 victory.

Darner led the Saints at the plate as he was three-for-four with the grand slam, six runs batted-in and two runs scored.  Three other Saints had multiple hits in the game as sophomore right fielder Cody Makin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) was three-for-five with two runs scored, senior first baseman Andrew Thole (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) was two-for-four with a double and two runs scored and junior shortstop David Kennett (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) was two-for-five with a RBI and two runs scored.

Junior pitcher Grant Lewis (Mason, Ohio/Mason) earned the win on the mound as he pitched eight innings giving up six runs (two earned) on 12 hits and striking out five.  Sophomore Brenon Russell (Petersburg, Ky./Connor) pitched one inning of relief and gave up one run (earned) on two hits and struck out one.

Thomas More and Waynesburg will close out their three-game PAC series tomorrow (Sunday, March 25) with a 12 p.m. first-pitch doubleheader at Thomas More Field.