WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team lost its first game of the NCAA Tournament to Seton Hill University, 10-2, Thursday at Serpico Field in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
 
The defeat sets up a must-win game Thursday afternoon against top-seeded, and regional host, West Chester University. A win over the Golden Rams would keep SRU alive in the double elimination tournament while a loss would end The Rock's season.
 
Following its loss to the Griffins, Slippery Rock's record moves to 33-17 overall while Seton Hill improves to 32-17-1.
 
Alex Robenolt led Slippery Rock, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a double. Abraham Mow also had two hits while Joel Spishock drove in a pair of runs with a hit and a walk. Connor Hamilton, Luke Trueman and Joe Ehland all had hits as well with Hamilton also tallying two walks.
 
Devin Dunn (9-2) was the pitcher of record for Slippery Rock after allowing seven runs, only three of which were earned, on 12 hits and four walks over 4.2 innings pitched. Andy McClymonds came on for Dunn in the fifth inning and went on to throw two innings, giving up three runs on four hits to go with two strikeouts.
 
Travis Holman and JT Wolke finished out the game for SRU as the duo pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.
 
Both teams loaded the bases in the first inning, but while Dunn was able to induce an inning-ending flyout to keep SHU in check The Rock was able to capitalize on their opportunity courtesy of a two-run single by Spishock to score Mow and Hamilton.
 
Dunn once again worked out of a potentially dangerous situation in the second when he recoded an inning-ending strikeout with runners on first and third to maintain Slippery Rock's early lead.
 
However, the Griffins were finally able to break through in the third inning with five runs on six hits a pair of walks and two Rock errors. SHU pushed its lead to 6-3 an inning later with a solo home run by Owen Sabol.
 
Seton Hill went on to add another run in the fifth and three in the seventh on its way to the win.
 
The Rock's best chance at a rally came in the fifth inning when they loaded the bases with one out before SHU reliever Marshall McGraw struck out Eddie Morris then caught of rocket line drive off of Spishock's bat to retire the side without allowing a run.
 
Brandon Bergert served as Seton Hill's starting pitcher, lasting 4.1 innings with two runs allowed on three hits and four walks. McGraw earned the win following 2.1 shutout innings of relief.
 
First pitch of Thursday afternoon's game between The Rock and West Chester is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
 


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