GAME PROGRAM INFO
Slippery Rock has moved away from printed game programs for all sports in 2022-23. This page will serve as the "Digital Game Program" for this week's game. To navigate to all gameday info for any SRU home events this year, simply visit rockathletics.com/gameday or scan the QR code on the "Gameday Info" posters hanging in each facility.
 

Slippery Rock vs. Mansfield
The Rock (14-13)	Mounties (8-19)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach: Andrew Chalot
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team will host Mansfield University in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday at Jack Critchfield Park with first pitch of game one set for 2 p.m.
 
LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME
Fans are reminded that there are NO PETS allowed at Jack Critchfield Park, or in any SRU athletics facilities. Please do not bring dogs or any other pets to the game. Unless they are a registered service animal, you will be asked to remove your pet from the facility.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Live in-game statistics for Tuesday's doubleheader will be provided at the below link.
 
SERIES DETAILS
Opponent: Mansfield University
Date: Tuesday – 2 p.m. / 4 p.m.
Location: Jack Critchfield Park
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: SRU leads 28-25-1
Last Played: April 12, 2022 (Split DH)
 
SERIES HISTORY
Slippery Rock holds a 28-25-1 all-time record against Mansfield. SRU has taken three of the last four games in the series dating back to 2019 and is 9-4 against the Mounties all-time at Jack Critchfield Park.
 
A year ago, The Rock and Mounties split a doubleheader at Critchfield Park with Mansfield winning the opener (5-1) followed by a 3-1 Rock win in game two.
 
SRU's offensive efforts were led in the split 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.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
Overall Record: 14-13
PSAC West Record: 3-9
PSAC West Standings: 7th
NCBWA Regional Ranking: RV
Home Record: 8-6
Away Record: 6-7
Streak: L1
Last Five Games: 2-3
Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 38th season (1,086-709-5 / .605)
 
SCOUTING THE ROCK
LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock split a home Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division doubleheader Saturday against California (Pa.) with a 4-1 win in game one followed by a 4-1 loss in game two.
 
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
Slippery Rock has been great in non-conference games with an 11-4 record when playing outside of the PSAC West.
 
SRU opened the year by splitting four games against Shippensburg, followed by a three-game sweep of Alliance, taking two of three from both West Virginia State and Wilmington as well as single nine-inning wins over Frostburg State and Ashland.
 
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Over the last three seasons, Slippery Rock is an impressive 27-5 (.843) in non-conference games played at the friendly confines of Jack Critchfield Park. Included in the record is a 7-1 mark in home non-conference games this season.
 
TRUEMAN HONORED
Luke Trueman was named the PSAC West Pitcher of the Week following a pair of great starts last week in which he went 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA and 15 strikeouts and just two walks. He threw a complete-game shutout at Indiana (Pa.) followed by a 10-strikeout, one-run, complete game in a 5-1 win against California (Pa.).
 
The honor marks the second time this season Trueman has earned weekly recognition from the PSAC – he was also named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week for his performance in the field earlier in the year.
 
THE ROCK OFFENSE
• Noah Ross opens the week leading The Rock in batting average at .375 with 24 hits in his first 64 at-bats this season while splitting time between as a backup catcher and serving as SRU's designated hitter.
 
• Included in Ross' 24 hits are five doubles and one home run in addition to 18 runs scored, 10 RBI and a .467 on-base percentage.
 
• In addition to his pitching exploits, Trueman also hits .324 with 10 runs, four home runs and 14 RBI over 20 games played as an outfielder. Eight of his 23 hits have come by way of double.
 
• Speedy centerfielder Joseph Ehland is the third Rock athlete to open the week hitting over .300 at .305. Ehland, who has scored 20 runs and driven in 13 more, is also second on the team in walks helping to a .402 on-base percentage.
 
• On the national stage, Ehland is tied for seventh in Division II in triples with five.
 
• Only Ross has been better at getting on base for SRU this season than second baseman Koby Bubash, who ranks second on The Rock in OBP at .430 all the while scoring 20 runs and posting 17 RBI in addition to 11 extra-base hits (9 doubles, 2 triples).
 
• The veteran duo of left fielder Alex Robenolt and shortstop Jon Kozarian have combined to drive a large bulk of The Rock's runs so far this season. Robenolt hits .282 with four home runs, 19 runs scored and 24 RBI while Kozarian has also belted four home runs to go with 25 runs, 28 RBI and a .276 batting average.
 
• Joey Purcell routinely serves as The Rock's starting first baseman when not on the mound. He is tied with Bubash for team-high honors in walks at 14 while scoring 17 runs and registering a .384 on-base percentage.
 
• Catcher Robby Barrientos has registered a hit in his last four games played including his second home run of the 2023 campaign, which came in SRU's 4-1 victory against California.
 
• Braden Olson has started eight consecutive games between shortstop and third base. Over those eight games he is hitting .364 (8-for-22) with four runs, three RBI and three walks.
 
THE ROCK PITCHING STAFF (Non-conference Edition)
• Robert Herr has pitched in seven of SRU's non-conference games this season, going 2-0 with 0.75 ERA, .095 opponent batting average and 13 strikeouts over 12.0 innings.
 
• Tanner Espoitor has also logged 11.1 innings in five non-conference games with one win and 15 strikeouts.
 
• Other pitchers to appear in non-conference games that aren't members of SRU's typical weekend starting rotation include Jake Norris (3 games, 2-0, 4.2 IP, .263 OBA, 4 Strikeouts), Parker Hogge (2 games, 2.2 IP, 4 strikeouts, .111 OBA, 3.38 ERA), Gino Marra (3 games, 2.0 IP, 1 strikeout), Eoin Rossman (3 games, 2.0 IP, .167 OBA) and Michael Kitko (1 game, 2.0 IP, 3 strikeouts).
 
CAREER RECORDS WATCH
Hits (No. 13-16)
13. Billy Messer (2007-10): 197
14. Joe Neidrick (2001-03): 193
15. Frankie Jezioro (2016-19): 186
16: Jon Kozarian: 178
 
Doubles (No. 5-8)
5. Bill Herman (2006-09): 51
6. Derek DiRuscia (2008-11): 46
7. Jon Kozarian: 44
t8. Alex Robenolt: 43
t8. Billy Messer (2007-10): 43
t8. Matt Kuzusko (2002-05): 43
 
Home Runs (No. 13-16)
t13: Three players: 18
t16. Alex Bell (2014-16): 17
t16. Chase Rowe (2003-05): 17
t16: Jon Kozarian: 17
t16: Alex Robenolt: 17
t16: Luke Trueman: 17
 
Runs Scored (No. 8-11)
8. Phil Butch (2004-07): 148
9. Shawn Primavere (1991-93): 143
10. Matt Kuzusko (2002-05): 140
11. Jon Kozarian: 134
 
RBI (No. 8-11)
8. Tom Huff (1991-94): 128
t9. Adam Jury (2008-11): 125
t9. Joe Campagna (2016-19): 125
11. Jon Kozarian: 116
 
Strikeouts
1. Alex Pantuso (2015-18): 267
2. Lou Trivino (2011-13): 217
t3. Luke Trueman: 193
t3. Nate Thimons (1996-99): 193
4. Mark Dolan (1996-99): 190
 
Innings Pitched (No. 13-16)
7. Craig Petulla (1998-00): 202.2
8. Rocky D'Angelo (2002-05): 198.2
9. Ron Wasko (1984-87): 197.1
10. Nate Thimons (1996-99): 194.2
11. Luke Trueman: 189.2
 
MANSFIELD PRIMER
Overall Record: 8-19
PSAC East Record: 0-12
PSAC East Standings: 9th
Home Record: 0-5
Away Record: 6-12
Neutral Site Record: 2-2
Streak: W2
Last Five Games: 3-2
Head Coach: Andrew Chalot | 4th season (46-77 / .374)
 
LAST TIME OUT
Mansfield stepped out of PSAC East competition to take three of four games from Salem University.
 
SCOUTING THE MOUNTIES
Mansfield comes to The Rock averaging 5.4 runs per game while allowing 6.7 a contest. The Mounties carry a .264 team batting average and a 6.08 staff ERA. MU is 8-7 in non-conference games this year.
 
TOP MANSFIELD HITTERS
Jacob Houtz: .301 AVG (28-93) – 19 Runs – 2 HR - 17 RBI - .396 OBP
Zachary Shertzer: .287 AVG (27-94) – 20 Runs – 17 RBI - 10 SB - .410OBP
Jeffrey Coakley: .273 AVG (21-77) – 11Runs – 4 2B - 10 RBI - .356 OBP
Brittain Shander: .266 AVG (25-94) – 12 Runs – 12 RBI - 8 SB - .368 OBP
 
MU's RECENT RESULTS
April 8 – at Salem – W, 4-1
April 8 – at Salem – W, 3-2
April 7 – at Salem – L, 5-0
April 7 – at Salem – W, 6-2
April 3 – vs. #14 East Stroudsburg – L, 15-8
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock returns to PSAC West competition with a four-game series against Gannon University. The Rock and Golden Knights will first play a doubleheader Friday at Critchfield Park followed by a pair of games Sunday in Erie. First pitch of game one on both days is set for 1 p.m.




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