Boxscore

AUBURNDALE, Fla. -- Senior left fielder Jacob Oswalt swung a big bat and junior right-hander Mike Ritson pitched a strong game Monday to lead the Slippery Rock University baseball team to a 3-2 win over Northwood (Mich.) at Lake Myrtle Park.

Oswalt was 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and collected two RBIs to lead The Rock offensive attack. Senior second baseman Billy Messer singled home the other Rock run, while sophomore shortstop Adam Jury added a double.

Ritson struck out eight, walked two and scattered four hits in the first six innings to pick up his first win of the season.

Freshman southpaw Joby Lapkowicz struck out four, walked one and allowed two unearned runs on four hits in relief of Ritson to pick up his first save of the season.

Monday's win evened The Rock's record at 5-5 overall and its spring-trip record at 3-3.

SRU returns to the diamond at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, when it will take on NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional rival Charleston (W. Va.) in a nine-inning single game at Lake Myrtle Park.

The Rock then closes out its Sunshine State schedule with a 10 a.m. game Wednesday against Southwest Minnesota State at Henley Field in Lakeland.

Following Wednesday's game, The Rock will have a day off Thursday to travel to Savannah, GA., where it will meet Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division rival California in a four-game series at Grayson Stadium.

The Rock and Vulcans will duel in 12-noon doubleheaders Friday and Saturday to open the division schedule.

SRU then heads north to prepare for its home opener March 16 (1 p.m.) against Washington Adventist University (formerly Columbia Union University) at Jack Critchfield Park.