SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Joey Purcell and Michael Kitko combined to pitch a nine-inning no-hitter for the Slippery Rock University baseball team in its 5-0 win against Saint Anselm College Sunday at Jack Critchfield Park.
 
The win, combined with a doubleheader split against Saint Anselm on Saturday, gives The Rock a series victory over the Hawks while improving their record to 8-3 on the season overall. Saint Anselm exits Slippery Rock at 6-10 in 2024.
 
Purcell (2-1) was virtually flawless on the mound Sunday as he threw seven hitless innings while matching a career-high of nine strikeouts and facing just two batters above the minimum after a pair of walks.
 
Kitko came on for Purcell in the eighth inning and proceeded to secure the combined no-hitter with two nearly flawless innings of relief that included four strikeouts and just one walk.
 
Sunday marked the seventh no-hitter inside the Slippery Rock baseball program dating back to the 2002 season.

BASE: NO HITTER COMPLETE!! Joey Purcell and Michael Kitko combine to strike out 13 batters in a 5-0 no-hit victory over Saint Anselm! Purcell gets the win after 7.0 innings and 9 Ks. Kitko gets the save with 2.0 innings and 4 Ks. They allowed just 3 base runners in the game. pic.twitter.com/e2qPE5Srp5

— Rock Athletics (@Rock_Athletics) March 17, 2024

Prior to Sunday, the most recent no-hitter by SRU came on March 6, 2022 when Ricky Mineo and Travis Holman paired to pitch a seven-inning no-hitter against Davis & Elkins. The last time SRU had a nine-inning no-hitter came by Mike Sikorski on May 16, 2003 against Kutztown University.

Over three appearances this season that have stretched 16 innings, Purcell has given up just five hits and three runs for a 1.69 ERA and a .100 opponent batting average.
 
In addition to his late-inning heroics out of the bullpen, Kitko was also a driving force behind The Rock's offense Sunday as he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, one home run, two RBI and a double.
 
One of The Rock's top two-way threats, Kitko is 1-0 with one save and a 2.00 ERA in four relief appearances out of SRU's bullpen this year all the while batting .462 with six runs, two home runs and eight RBI over seven starts as a corner outfielder.
 
Purcell was perfect through four innings. With Saint Anselm's batters stymied, SRU was able to take an early 3-0 lead thanks to a run in the third inning via a Braden Olson sacrifice fly that scored Brett Galcik followed by two more runs in the fourth when Kitko and Noah Ross each crossed home plate on wild pitches.
 
While Purcell's bid for a perfect game ended with walks in the fifth and sixth innings, The Rock's junior hurler, and starting first baseman, closed his start strong with a flawless five-pitch seventh inning. The seventh inning was highlighted by solid defense from The Rock.
 
The second out of the inning occurred when a comebacker ricocheted off Purcell's foot only for Olson to maintain his focus from his shortstop position, track the grounder and make the accompanying throw to first in time.
 
The final out of the frame came courtesy of centerfielder Cam Panyko Morris, who made a sprinting catch on a shallow fly ball to left-center.
 
Coming in from his spot in right field to pitch in the eighth, Kitko struck out the first two batters he faced in the inning followed by a walk and a pop up to second base to end the inning.
 
The final stages of the game continued to belong to Kitko. He followed his first inning pitched by belting a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth which plated Gage Gillott, who doubled to leadoff the frame, before closing out the no-hitter with a flyout and two final strikeouts in the ninth.
 
While Purcell and Kitko dominated the game, Slippery Rock produced a great all-around performance for its eighth win of the season.
 
SRU did not commit an error defensively and racked up nine hits – eight of which went for extra bases.
 
Bubash, Kitko and Galcik each registered 2-for-4 afternoons. All four hits by Bubash and Galcik were doubles while Kitko had a double in addition to his second home run of the season.
 
Gillott and Noah Ross picked up doubles as well with Panyko Morris collecting one hit of his own from his spot atop The Rock's batting order.
 
Jared Reminder (2-2) was the pitcher of record for Saint Anselm. He gave up three runs on five hits in four innings before giving way to Will Hunter (3 IP, 2 runs) and Adam Betty (1 IP).
 
With the bulk of its non-league schedule complete, Slippery Rock now turns its sights to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division competition starting with a four-game series against Pitt-Johnstown.
 
The Rock hosts the Mountain Cats March 22 for a doubleheader at Critchfield Park before heading to UPJ for two games on March 23. First pitch of game one on both days is set for 1 p.m.





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