SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The Slippery Rock University athletic department would like to recognize senior baseball players Derek Boben, Cody Cooper, Jay Cortese, Zach Manasek and Joe Sibeto in the fourth of multiple #SRUSeniorDay features this spring that will celebrate The Rock's spring senior student-athletes.
 
ABOUT #SRUSeniorDay
Throughout the month of April, the Slippery Rock athletic communication office will be recognizing The Rock's senior student-athletes online as a way to celebrate the seniors that did not get to have their traditional Senior Day celebrations this spring.
 
Each weekday throughout the month, a few seniors will be profiled on Twitter (@Rock_Athletics) with graphics, photos and quotes from the student-athlete about their time at SRU.
 
Once each senior from each respective spring team has been profiled on Twitter, we'll create a page like this one for each team that includes all of the graphics and complete responses to a number of questions about the student-athletes' experiences at SRU.
 
Follow along with the hashtag #SRUSeniorDay on our Twitter page and come back to the web weekly to check for more features on the SRU spring seniors.
 
BASEBALL SENIOR DAY
• Total Seniors: 5
  DEREK BOBBEN  |  Roster Bio and Stats
• Position: Pitcher
• Number: 7
• Hometown: West Sunbury, Pa.
• Major: Safety Management
• Parents: Carla and Eric Boben (both SRU grads)
 
• Quick SRU Highlights: Appeared in 20 games on the mound over three seasons … struck out 36 batters in 35 innings of work … was limiting batters to a .190 batting average over 5.2 innings with one save in 2020 when season was ended.
 
IN HIS OWN WORDS
• One word you would use to describe your experience at Slippery Rock?
DB: Unforgettable
 
• What is/are your favorite Memory/Memories from your time at SRU?
DB: All of my teammates would be my favorite part of my time at SRU.
 
• Most memorable game/event from your SRU career?
DB: Pitching in the PSAC tournament.
 
• When will you graduate? What will your degree be in?
DB: May of 2020. My degree will be in Safety Management.
 
• Do you plan to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA? If not, what comes next for you?
DB: I am not planning to use the extra year. I will begin my career in safety management for Wanzek, based out of Fargo, North Dakota.
 
• Favorite class and/or professor at SRU?
DB: American Military Experience and Dr. Rogowitz.
 
• What would you say to high school student-athletes thinking about coming to Slippery Rock?
DB: You couldn't ask for a better environment to grow up in and begin the next chapter of your life. It truly is a great university and a fun place to be.
 
• Any message you want to share with your teammates that are coming back next year?
DB: Play every game like it's your last, you never know when it could be all over! I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to spend my final season with. Thank you all for the memories.
 
• Anything else you want to share with Rock Nation?
DB: I would like to thank the university and coach Messer for this amazing opportunity to live out a lifelong dream of playing college baseball. I also want to thank all of my family, friends and teammates throughout the years for all of the memories and support. None of this would have been possible without you guys!

---

 CODY COOPER  |  Roster Bio and Stats
• Position: Infielder
• Number: 26
• Hometown: Canandaigua, N.Y.
• Major: Parks and Resource Management
• Parents: Jennifer and Scott Cooper
 
• Quick SRU Highlights: Appeared in 10 games over the last two seasons after transferring in following an all-star junior college career at Finger Lakes Community College … three hits, two RBIs and one run scored.
 
IN HIS OWN WORDS
• One word you would use to describe your experience at Slippery Rock?
CC: Stupendous.
 
• What is/are your favorite Memory/Memories from your time at SRU?
CC: Bowling on lane 12 at Coffaro's.
 
• Most memorable game/event from your SRU career?
CC: My first pitching outing
 
• When will you graduate? What will your degree be in?
CC: I will graduate this year with a degree in parks and resource management.
 
• Do you plan to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA? If not, what comes next for you?
CC: I am not planning to use the extra year. I am planning to pursue a career as a United States Parks Service Law Enforcement Ranger.
 
• Favorite class and/or professor at SRU?
CC: Search and Rescue with Dr. Lisco.
 
• What would you say to high school student-athletes thinking about coming to Slippery Rock?
CC: Join the PCRM program! (Parks, Conservation and Resource Management)
 
• Any message you want to share with your teammates that are coming back next year?
CC: Pasta bread bowls are the best way to win games.
 
• Anything else you want to share with Rock Nation?
CC: Thank you very much to Slippery Rock University and coach Messer for giving me the chance to play baseball at The Rock the last two years. I would also like to thank my teammates for the great memories and wish them luck going forward. Go Rock!

---

JAY CORTESE  |  Roster Bio and Stats
• Position: Pitcher
• Number: 20
• Hometown: Allison Park, Pa.
• Major: Finance (already has degree, working on MBA now)
• Parents: Gloria and Michael Cortese
 
• Quick SRU Highlights: Appeared in 20 games over three seasons from 2016-18 while battling injuries throughout his career … was off to a great start in 2018 with a 2.45 ERA and four strikeouts through two appearances before suffering career-ending injury … struck out 23 batters in 32.2 total innings.
 
IN HIS OWN WORDS
• One word you would use to describe your experience at Slippery Rock?
JC: Memorable.
 
• What is/are your favorite Memory/Memories from your time at SRU?
JC: Being part of SRU Baseball with all my teammates over the years.
 
• When will you graduate? What will your degree be in?
JC: I already earned my finance degree from SRU. I am currently a full-time grad student working on my MBA. I should complete my last course for my master's in August.  
 
• Do you plan to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA? If not, what comes next for you?
JC: I do not plan to play again. I am planning to begin working for the Pittsburgh Pirates as a Minor League operations assistant.
 
• Favorite class and/or professor at SRU?
JC: Dr. Phipps.
 
• What would you say to high school student-athletes thinking about coming to Slippery Rock?
JC: SRU is an incredible place with great athletes, coaches and athletic trainers.
 
• Any message you want to share with your teammates that are coming back next year?
JC: Thank you for all the memories and enjoy the ride! It goes by quickly.
 
• Anything else you want to share with Rock Nation?
JC: GO ROCK!

---

ZACH MANASEK  |  Roster Bio and Stats
• Position: Pitcher
• Number: 30
• Hometown: Clark Summit, Pa.
• Major: Accounting
• Parents: Michelle and David Manasek
 
• Quick SRU Highlights: Appeared in one game on the mound after transferring in from Arcadia University … battled injuries throughout entire SRU career that limited playing time.
 
IN HIS OWN WORDS
• What would you say to high school student-athletes thinking about coming to Slippery Rock?
ZM: To anyone thinking about coming to Slippery Rock, I know when I first transferred in I was so unsure of how everything would go for me. Looking back at my decision now, I can honestly say I made the best choice by attending SRU.
 
• Any message you want to share with your teammates that are coming back next year?
ZM: Thank you to all my teammates that I've had the pleasure of knowing these past three years. Thank you for always pushing me and being some of the greatest people I have ever met.
 
• Anything else you want to share with Rock Nation?
ZM: Thank you to my coaches, athletic trainers, professors and anyone I have met along the way since I transferred here. I will never forget my time here or the memories I've made.

---

JOE SIBETO  |  Roster Bio and Stats
• Position: Catcher
• Number: 24
• Hometown: Oakdale, Pa.
• Major: Criminology
• Parents: Anna and Nick Sibeto
 
• Quick SRU Highlights: Appeared in 32 games over the last two seasons after transferring in following a junior college career … recorded 13 hits, three doubles and two home runs … was hitting .285 in 2020 when season was halted.  
 
IN HIS OWN WORDS
• One word you would use to describe your experience at Slippery Rock?
JS: Enlightening.
 
• What is/are your favorite Memory/Memories from your time at SRU?
JC: I am most proud of keeping my GPA at 4.0.
 
• Most memorable game/event from your SRU career?
JS: I had two hits and a home run against West Virginia State last year.
 
• When will you graduate? What will your degree be in?
JS: I will graduate in May with a degree in criminology.   
 
• Do you plan to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA? If not, what comes next for you?
JS: I do not plan to play again. I am currently studying to take the LSAT exam and then I will be attending law school. "The road ahead can be hard and unforgiving. It takes courage and the right mindset in order for anything to be accomplished."
 
• Favorite class and/or professor at SRU?
JS: I have enjoyed all of my classes and my professors here at SRU. I have taken in a lot of information and will do my duty as a graduate in spreading that knowledge as it was taught to me.
 
• What would you say to high school student-athletes thinking about coming to Slippery Rock?
JS: If opportunity isn't knocking, then you better start building a door.  
 
• Any message you want to share with your teammates that are coming back next year?
JS: If the road ahead seems too long, don't be afraid to look back in order to see how far you have come. For, even if the hill before you is steep, the view gives you hope to finish the journey.
 
• Anything else you want to share with Rock Nation?
JS: I want to thank each and every person who has impacted my years here at SRU. I have realized with this time being a part of Rock Nation, that each interaction in life is an opportunity to positively impact others.

---

OTHER SENIOR DAY CELEBRATIONS
- April 6 - Softball
- April 13 - Women's Tennis
- April 28 - Women's Lacrosse
- April 29 - Baseball
- April 30 - Men's Track and Field
- May 1 - Women's Track and Field



To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official athletic communication accounts on Twitter (@Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics), Instagram (RockAthletics) and Snapchat (@RockAthletics).