SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University baseball team earned a 5-1 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division victory against Gannon University Sunday afternoon at Jack Critchfield Park in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.
The Rock and Golden Knights were scheduled to play a doubleheader Sunday, but the second game was stopped in the third inning of game two due to rain, field conditions and lightning in the area. The game will be made up at the end of the season if it factors into PSAC Tournament qualification or seeding.
Slippery Rock's win, the sixth in its last eight games, improved The Rock's record to 23-15 overall and 14-9 in PSAC West competition. Gannon dropped to 18-23 overall and 8-15 in league games with the loss. SRU exits the weekend in third place in the PSAC West standings, but just a half game behind Seton Hill University for second place.
Reigning PSAC West Pitcher of the Week
Preston Falascino (6-2) made a strong bid to once again earn the honor with a dominant complete-game performance. Over seven innings, Falascino allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five Golden Knight batters.
Falascino only allowed three baserunners in the first four innings and took a shutout into the seventh inning where he tallied two quick outs before giving up a solo home run to Mike Colosi. However, two batters later Falascino forced Nick Restuccia to groundout to close out the four-run win. The complete game was Falascino's second of the season and his six wins are the third most of any pitcher in the PSAC.
The Rock's offense made sure that Falascino's great effort on the mound did not go to waste.
James Divosevic began the game with a leadoff home run in the first inning. SRU carried its 1-0 lead through the first three innings before busting the game open with a four-run fourth inning.
Tyler Walters got the big inning started with a solo home run, his eighth of the season. The rest of the middle of SRU's batting order all proceeded to reach base as well as
Christian Porterfield was hit by a pitch,
Carson Kessler produced an infield single and
Frankie Jezioro perfectly placed a bunt for another infield single that loaded the bases with no outs in the frame.
Joe Campagna came through for SRU's second run of the inning with a single down the left field line that scored Porterfield. Gannon finally recorded the its first out with a force out at second base when
Mitchell Wood hit into a fielder's choice that also drove in Kessler to push The Rock's lead to 4-1.
Matt Mandes concluded SRU's offensive barrage with a sacrifice fly out to centerfield that was deep enough to easily bring Jezioro in from third base.
Falascino closed out the contest by holding Gannon scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings while just coming short of the complete-game shutout before Colosi's aforementioned home run gave Gannon's its first run of the day.
Divosevic's home run was his second of the year. In addition to being his 33rd career homer, Walters' blast also accounted for his 47th RBI of the season, the third most by a PSAC athlete in 2017. With at least six regular season games left, Walters is tied for sixth place in Rock history along with Tom Huff (1991-94) with 128 career RBI. He needs six more RBI pass Craig White (1987-89) for fifth place in school history.
Kessler, Jezioro, Campagna and Wood all finished 1-for-3 with Campagna and Wood both driving in one run. Wood has now recorded hits in 12 of The Rock's last 13 games.
Gannon starting pitcher David Cricks dropped to 5-4 on the year with the loss. Cricks gave up five runs on five hits in 3.2 innings. Joey Colosi and Cory Hegedus combined to pitch the final 2.1 innings in relief for the Golden Knights. Mike Colosi went 2-for-3 with one home run to pace the Golden Knights' offense.
Slippery Rock will host Walsh University for a non-conference doubleheader on May 3 at Jack Critchfield Park. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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