SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Mansfield University Tuesday at Critchfield Park.
 
After losing game one, 8-5, SRU salvaged the day with a 3-1 victory in game two. The split moves The Rock's record to 19-9 on the season while Mansfield exits SRU at 13-18 in 2022.SRU has now split six consecutive doubleheaders.
 
SRU's offensive efforts Tuesday were led by Joel Spishock and Abraham Mow. Spishock went 4-for-6 over the doubleheader with one run scored, three RBI and a pair of doubles. Mow was 4-for-7 with two runs and a double of his own.
 
GAME ONE: MU 8 – SRU 5
The Mountaineers parlayed a five-run second inning into an eventual 8-5 victory to open the day.
 
Slippery Rock did its best to cut into the early deficit with four consecutive runs over the second and third innings. Spishock ignited The Rock's rally attempt with a two-run double in the second followed later in the inning by an RBI-single from Joe Ehland before Connor Hamilton belted a leadoff home run in the third.
 
However, SRU could never quite complete its comeback bid as Mansfield closed the victory by scoring once in each of the final three innings all the while holding The Rock to just one run, courtesy of another RBI-double by Spishock in the seventh, from the third inning on.
 
Spishock finished the opener going 3-for-3 with three RBI, one run scored, two doubles and a walk. Alex Robenolt and Eddie Morris also had two-hit games via matching 2-for-4 performances that saw Morris score two runs as well.
 
Hamilton, Ehland, Mow and Anthony Cinicola collected one hit each with Hamilton's being the aforementioned solo homer, his team-leading eighth of the season. Cinicola also walked twice.
 
Robert Herr (0-1) was the pitcher of record for Slippery Rock. In his first collegiate start, Herr allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks to go with four strikeouts over 3.2 innings.
 
Tanner Esposito came in for Herr in fourth and went on to pitch two innings, allowing two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits and two walks before giving way to Colby Anderson who finished out the day by giving up just one unearned run in 1.1 innings pitched.
 
Bobby Curry (2-2) pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief in place of starter Scott Poulson to earn the victory while Josh Colon picked up the save with one run surrendered over the final 1.2 innings.
 
GAME TWO: SRU 3 – MU 1
Slippery Rock pitchers Eoin Rossman, JT Wolke and Travis Holman helped to salvage the day for SRU by combining to limit Mansfield to just one run and six hits as part of a 3-1 victory in game two.
 
Jon Kozarian opened the contest in the first inning with an RBI-double that plated Mow before later scoring on a Robenolt sacrifice fly to give The Rock an early 2-0 lead.
 
In his second collegiate start, Rossman struck out seven batters and was able to work around four walks while surrendering just one hit over 3.1 innings of solid work. Rossman left the game in the fourth with one out and two runners on base in favor of Wolke (1-0) who was able to get out of an unfavorable situation by allowing just one run and preserving SRU's lead.  
 
Slippery Rock added an additional insurance run an inning later on a fielding miscue by Mansfield that allowed Mow to score for a second time. Holman then took over for Wolke in the sixth and went on to strand two runners in each of the final two frames to close out The Rock's two-run win.
 
Wolke was credited for his first win of the season - Rossman did not pitch the required four innings to receive the decision  - with three strikeouts and only one hit allowed in 1.2 innings. Holman gave up four hits, but no runs, through the final two innings accompanied by three strikeouts for the save.
 
Mow was a perfect 3-for-3 in the nightcap with two runs and a double. Kozarian drove in two runs and scored another. Spishock had the remaining hit while Ehland and Evan Knaus each walked once.
 
Todd Earney (0-2) took the loss for Mansfield after giving up three runs on four hits and three walks over five innings. Ian Wilbur threw a scoreless inning of relief to close the day for the Mountaineers.
 
Slippery Rock returns to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division competition this weekend with a four-game series against No. 25 Seton Hill University.
 
SRU will host the Griffins for two games Friday before heading to Seton Hill Saturday for a road doubleheader. First pitch on both days is set for 1 p.m.
 
 
 


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