Game 1 boxscore
Game 2 boxscore

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The 18th-ranked Slippery Rock University baseball team split a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division doubleheader Saturday vs. visiting California U. of Pa. at Jack Critchfield Park.

California (11-5, 3-1 PSAC-W) won Game 1 by an 8-3 score before The Rock (11-7, 1-3 PSAC-W) took Game 2 by a 12-2 score.

Sophomore shortstop Adam Jury (pictured above) and sophomore first baseman Derek Diruscia collected five and four RBIs, respectively, to lead The Rock's winning attack in Game 2.

Both Jury, who was 3-for-3 in the game, and Diruscia, who was 2-for-4, had a double and home run included in their Game 2 efforts.

Junior catcher Matt Adams and senior third baseman Billy Herman each added two hits in The Rock's 14-hit attack. Adams and junior second baseman Billy Messer each picked up one RBI in the game.

The offensive outburst gave Rock starting and winning pitcher Vince Lloyd more than enough support to record his third victory in as many decisions this spring. Lloyd held California to two earned runs on five hits, struck out six, walked four and hit one batter in a seven-inning complete-game effort, his second route-going effort of the season.

Both The Rock and California had 11 hits in Game 1.  Senior center fielder Rich Michalek led The Rock effort with a 3-for-4 game and one RBI. Jury added two hits in four at-bats, while junior left fielder Jacob Oswalt was 2-for-2 with one RBI. Herman also picked up an RBI.

Sophomore right-hander George Hebert was The Rock's Game 1 starting and losing pitcher. He yielded five runs (four earned) on eight hits and struck out three in five innings.

Senior southpaw Mark Tanner allowed three earned runs on three hits, struck out one and walked one in the final two frames.

PSAC-West standings: Merchurst, thanks to a doubleheader sweep Saturday vs. Gannon, sits alone atop the PSAC-Western Division standings at the conclusion of Saturday's action. Those two teams will close out their season series with a twinbill Sunday.

California, by virtue of its three wins over SRU, and Lock Haven, on the strength of a surprising 3-1 weekend vs. Indiana (Pa.) are one-half game behind Mercyhurst.

The Rock and Indiana are tied for fifth place with 1-3 division marks, followed by Gannon at 0-2. Clarion had the first-weekend bye in the division competition.

Upcoming games: SRU's scheduled doubleheader Sunday vs. Bluefield State (W. Va.) has been postponed one week. Thus, The Rock will be idle until Friday, when the Green and White will host Gannon in a 1 p.m. twinbill at Critchfield Park.

The Rock and Gannon then close out their season series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader next Saturday in Erie before SRU entertains Bluefield State in a noon doubleheader March 22.

Rock statistical leaders: Adams currently leads The Rock in batting average (.478), doubles (8), home runs (6) and RBIs (29) ... Jury, with five hits Saturday, improved his batting average to .467 and has five doubles, two home runs and 18 RBIs ... Oswalt is hitting .396 and has six doubles, one HR and 11 RBIs while Bender is batting .391 and has three doubles, three triples, four HRs and 19 RBIs ... Michalek carries a .368 average, has four doubles, two HRs, 21 RBIs and is 1-of-10 in stolen bases and Diruscia is hitting .361 with five doubles, three HRs and 20 RBIs ... As a team, The Rock is hitting .374 and has a 5.68 ERA ... Lloyd and junior right-hander Scott Dunn both own 3-0 pitching records and are the team leaders in ERA with 2.11 and 2.05 marks, respectively.