GAME PROGRAM INFO
Slippery Rock has moved away from printed game programs for all sports in 2023-24. 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. Seton Hill
The Rock (24-12, 14-6)	Griffins (29-12, 13-7)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach Marc Marizzaldi
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - With just nine games left in the regular season, the Slippery Rock University baseball team starts the stretch run of its 2024 campaign in a four-game Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division weekend series against Seton Hill University.
 
SCHEDULE FORMAT
The Rock will host the Griffins for a doubleheader Friday at Jack Critchfield Park followed by two more games Saturday in Greensburg, Pennsylvania at the SHU Baseball Complex. First pitch of game one on both days is set for 1 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.
 
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "ROCK ATHLETICS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
• Fans can watch Friday's games live and on-demand for free on the Rock Athletics Digital Network, created and operated by the SRU athletic communication office.
 
• Search for Rock Athletics Digital Network in the app stores on Amazon Fire TV, Apple RV, Roku and Android TV devices. The streaming web player linked above will also integrate with Chrome Cast devices to allow viewers to cast the game to those devices.
 
STANDINGS CHECK
Entering the final two weeks of the regular season there remains a logjam at the top of PSAC West standings.
 
• Heading into the weekend there is a three-way tie for first place in the Division as The Rock, Indiana (Pa.) and Mercyhurst all carry matching 14-6 league records.
 
• Seton Hill sits in fourth place, but just one game back of the league leaders at 13-7.
 
• California rounds out the legitimate contenders in fifth place courtesy of its 10-10 PSAC West record.
 
• The top four teams in both the PSAC West and PSAC East standings at the end of the regular season qualify for the conference tournament, which will be held May 8-11 at Critchfield Park.
 
• There are two key series this weekend with significant importance in the PSAC West standings: Slippery Rock-Seton Hill and Mercyhurst-California.
 
• Scenarios do exist for Slippery to lock up a PSAC Tournament berth this weekend. SRU can clinch a spot in the conference tournament the following ways.
                  • Cal swept by Mercyhurst, SRU wins one game vs. Seton Hill
                  • Cal loses 3 of 4 vs. Mercyhurst, SRU splits series vs. Seton Hill
                  • Cal splits series vs. Mercyhurst, SRU wins 3 of 4 vs. Seton Hill
                  • Cal wins 3 of 4 vs. Mercyhurst, SRU sweeps Seton Hill
 
SERIES DETAILS
Opponent: Seton Hill
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
Games 1-2: Friday – 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Location: Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
Games 3-4: Saturday – 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Location: SHU Baseball Complex – Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
All-Time Series: SHU leads 31-20
Last Played: April 23, 2023 (SHU doubleheader sweep)
 
SERIES HISTORY
Seton Hill holds a 31-20 all-time record against Slippery Rock. The Griffins have won five straight games versus SRU after a win in the 2022 NCAA Tournament combined with four-game series sweep a year ago.
 
Top Rock Performers vs. SHU
Koby Bubash: 12 Games - .323 (10-31) – 3 RBI – 3 2B
Cam Panyko Morris: 2 Games - .667 (4-6) - 1 HR - 1 RBI - 1 3B
 
LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock had its six-game winning streak come to an end following an 11-2 loss at Frostburg State while Seton Hill picked up its seventh consecutive victory in a 6-2 win at Salem. Both games were played Tuesday.
 

TALE OF THE TAPE
STAT	ROCK	GRIFFINS
Runs*	5.4	6.1
Runs Allowed*	3.8	3.9
Hits*	8.8	8.8
Hits Allowed*	6.6	6.9
Team Batting Average	.297	.292
Opp. Batting Average	.236	.236
Team OB%	.375	.391
Opp. OB%	.328	.322
Team ERA	3.49	3.81
Opp. ERA	5.88	6.30
* per game stats

SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
Overall Record: 24-12
PSAC West Record: 14-6
PSAC West Standings: t-1st
NCBWA Regional Ranking: 6th
Home Record: 13-8
Away Record: 8-3
Neutral Site Record: 3-1
Streak: L1
Last Five Games: 4-1
Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 39th season (1,119-735-5 / .603)
 
SRU'S RECENT RESULTS
April 20 – Gannon – W, 5-2
April 20 – Gannon – W, 17-1
April 21 – Gannon – W, 4-2
April 21 – Gannon – W, 17-3
April 24 – Frostburg – L, 11-2

SCOUTING THE ROCK
• Slippery Rock's pitching staff has been one of the most effective units in Division II. Through the first 34 games of the year, SRU ranks third in the nation in shutouts (7), third in complete games (8), fifth in ERA (3.49), ninth in hits allowed per nine innings (7.94), 11th in WHIP (1.31) and 23rd in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.32).
 
• Opponents have scored just 3.8 runs per game against SRU this year on a .236 batting average and .328 on-base percentage.
 
• Offensively, Slippery Rock is good for 5.4 runs per game thanks to 8.8 hits a contest. More recently, SRU has tallied seven double-digit hit games over its last 11 contests.

ROCK LISTED IN FIRST ATLANTIC REGION RANKINGS
Slippery Rock was one of the nine teams from the Atlantic Region to be listed in the first set of NCAA Regional Rankings that were unveiled Wednesday.
 
The NCAA Regional Rankings are the only rankings that matter when it comes to determining which teams from each region will qualify for the National Championship Tournament. The top seven teams in the final Atlantic Region rankings will earn a postseason berth with conference tournament champions from the PSAC and MEC earning automatic bids alongside five at-large selections.
 
The first set of rankings were listed in alphabetical order to show the top teams currently in consideration for postseason berths. The first numerical order rankings will be published next Wednesday, May 1.
 
A successful series against Seton Hill, which was also among those included in this week's rankings, would go a long way in bolstering SRU's resume.
 
Atlantic Region Rankings – April 24
(Week 1 - Alphabetical Order)
-Charleston
-East Stroudsburg
-Frostburg State
-Indiana (Pa.)
-Millersville
-Seton Hill
-Shippensburg
-Slippery Rock
-West Chester

ANOTHER WINNING SEASON SECURED
Regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, it's mathematically impossible for The Rock to finish with a sub .500 winning percentage in 2024 thus marking the 35th season in head coach Jeff Messer's 39 years leading The Rock that SRU will end a year with a .500 or better winning percentage.
 
Among current Atlantic Region schools, only one program – West Virginia State - has compiled more seasons with a .500 or better winning percentage during Messer's tenure at The Rock.
 
Seasons .500 Win % or above (Since 1986)
1. West Virginia State * (36)
t2. Slippery Rock (35)
t2. Frostburg State ^ (35)
4. California (Pa.) (34)
5. Mercyhurst (32)
t6. West Chester (28)
t6. Shippensburg (28)
8. Millersville (26)
9. Shepherd (25)
t10. Kutztown (24)
t10. West Virginia Wesleyan * (24)
 
* West Virginia State and West Virginia Wesleyan were members of the NAIA until 1995
^ Competed in NCAA Division III until 2020

GILLOTT LEADS D2 IN ERA
Gage Gillott enters his start against Seton Hill leading all of Division II in ERA at 1.12. Gillott has surrendered just seven earned runs in 56.1 innings pitched this year.
 
NCAA D2 ERA Leaders
1. Gage Gillott (SRU): 1.12 (7 ER / 56.1 IP)
t2. Brent Francisco (ESU): 1.45 (10 ER / 62 IP)
t2. Alex Mykut (Millersville): 1.45 (11 ER / 67.2 IP)
4. Frank DeMaro (Southern New Hampshire): 1.60 (9 / 50.2 IP)
5. Chase Oberle (Ouachita Baptist): 1.80 (14 / 70 IP)

BUBASH HIT STREAK AT 17
After going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI against Frostburg State, senior second baseman Koby Bubash extended his hitting streak to 17 games. Bubash's hitting streak is tied with Luca Fuscardo (2017) for the fourth longest streak at SRU in documented history. The program record belongs to Adam Urbania, who hit safely in 34 consecutive games in which he logged official at-bats in 2015.
 
Longest Hitting Streak at SRU
1. Adam Urbania – 34 games (2015)
2. Matt Howard – 19 games (2010)
3. Frankie Jezioro – 18 games (2019)
t4. Koby Bubash – 17 games (2024)
t4. Luca Fuscardo – 17 games (2017)
t6. Jamison Walck – 16 games (2010)
t6. Connor Hamilton – 16 games (2021)

THE ROCK ROTATION
• Gillott, Joey Purcell and Nate Malak have formed the foundation of one of the top weekend rotations in the PSAC.
 
• The trio have pitched into at least the sixth inning in 16 of their 20 combined starts this year.
 
• In addition to his D2-best ERA, Gillott will carry a 6-2 record with 55 strikeouts and a .177 opponent batting average into the SHU series. Gillott has thrown five complete games including three shutouts.
 
• The Rock's redshirt sophomore ace also ranks third in Division II in complete games, eighth in hits allowed per nine innings (5.59) and fifth in WHIP (0.91).
 
• Over seven starts and 48.2 innings pitched in 2024, Purcell has gone 4-3 with a 2.77 ERA, 54 strikeouts, only 14 walks and a .192 opponent batting average. Purcell currently holds the PSAC's eighth lowest ERA in addition to being 17th in the nation in WHIP (0.99) and 21st in hits allowed per nine innings (6.29).
 
• Malak, who opened the year as a reliever before assuming his spot in SRU's rotation, has made six total appearances on the year, going 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA and one save through 22 innings.
 
• Opponents have produced just one extra-base hit this year off Malak. He has been particularly sharp as of late with six innings of one-hit baseball against California followed by a complete-game victory versus Gannon.
 
• Hunter Loomis started game four of The Rock's sweep of Gannon last week. He struck out a season-high six batters while scattering one run on five hits and two walks over four innings.
 
• The only other SRU pitchers with multiple starts against PSAC competition is Parker Hogge (2-3, 5.06 ERA, 32 IP).

THE ROCK BULLPEN
• In a team-high 13 appearances this season, Robert Herr holds a 3-1 record with three saves through 28 innings pitched out of SRU's bullpen.
 
• Just two of the nine runners Herr has inherited when coming on in relief have scored in 2024.
 
• Gino Marra has not allowed a run in his last four appearances, going 1-0 with one save and a 2.40 ERA on the year.
 
• In three appearances versus PSAC West teams, Mark Wilbur Jr. has allowed two runs over six innings with eight strikeouts, three walks and four hits allowed. In 2024 overall, Wilbur Jr. carries a 4.40 ERA through seven appearances and 14.1 innings pitched.
 
• In what has been an all-around breakout season, Michael Kitko is a perfect 3-0 with two saves and a 1.00 ERA over seven total appearances (six relief / one start). In a total of 18 innings pitched, Kitko has fanned 21 batters while walking just five batters in addition to holding a .194 opponent batting average.

THE ROCK INFIELD
• Bubash, who holds the team lead in on-base percentage at .478, has collected nine multi-hit games over his career-long 17-game hitting streak. In 35 starts, he is batting .366 with 24 runs scored, three home runs and 23 RBI while striking out just seven times in 112 at-bats.
 
• With nine games remaining in the regular season, Bubash has already matched his previous season career-high with 41 hits.
 
• Purcell, a starter in 26 games at first base, is tied with Bubash for second on the team in runs scored with 24 while also producing a .322 / .413 / .444 slash line with one home run, 14 RBI and four stolen bases.
 
• After opening the year with just eight hits in his first 39 collegiate at-bats, third baseman Brandon Butler has adapted to college pitching in fine fashion through the second half of the year by going 22-for-47 (.468) with 12 runs, one home run and 14 RBI over his last 14 games.
 
• Thanks to 15 hits in his last 35 at-bats, shortstop Braden Olson has grown his batting average 193 points from .065 (2-for-31) on April 6 to .258 entering this weekend. Olson also leads The Rock with 14 walks for a .386 on-base percentage.
 
• Eight of senior catcher Robby Barrientos' 21 hits this year have gone for extra bases (5 doubles, 2 home runs, 1 triple). He is tied for fifth on the team in RBI (17).

THE ROCK OUTFIELD
Slippery Rock spreads its outfield assignments among four players in Cam Panyko Morris, Eddie Morris, Gage Gillott and Michael Kitko.
 
• In his first season as The Rock's everyday centerfielder, Panyko Morris leads SRU in home runs (6), RBI (26) and slugging percentage (.577) in addition to pacing the team in total extra-base hits with 14. He'll enter the weekend with nine hits in his last 18 at-bats.  
 
• When not anchoring Slippery Rock's pitching rotation Gillott has started 27 games as a corner outfielder and without a doubt has been on of SRU's most dangerous bats in the lineup, hitting .374 with 25 runs, one home run and 17 RBI while slugging .515 with a .415 on-base percentage.
 
• Gillott leads The Rock in runs, triples (3) and stolen bases (5).
 
• Like Gillott, Kitko splits time as a corner outfielder and pitcher. He's reached base 16 straight games and holds a .350 batting average with 19 runs, three home runs and 23 RBI.
 
• With a mere four strikeouts in 103 at-bats, Kitko ranks fifth in Division II in the NCAA's "toughest to strikeout metric".
 
• Veteran Eddie Morris rounds out SRU's primary outfield contingent. Entering the final stages of his collegiate career, the senior is batting .278 with 15 runs, two home runs and 15 RBI.   

HITTING WHEN IT MATTERS
Slippery Rock enters the weekend with seven players hitting at least .300 with runners in scoring position.
 
The Rock With RISP
1. Michael Kitko (.462 / 18-39)
2. Brandon Butler (.452 / 14-31)
3. Koby Bubash (.414 / 12-29)
4. Gage Gillott (.387 / 12-31)
5. Joey Purcell (.353 / 12-34)
6. Cam Panyko Morris (.345 / 10-29)
7. Braden Olson (.300 / 6-20)
 
GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
SRU is 20-1 this season when leading after four innings.
 
WINNING THE CLOSE ONES
Slippery Rock opens the week 12-5 in games that have been decided by three runs or less.
 
ACTIVE STREAKS
Hitting (Top-5)
1. Koby Bubash (17)
2. Gage Gillott (9)
t3. Michael Kitko (4)
t3. Joey Purcell (4)
t3. Cam Panyko Morris (4)
 
Reached Base (Top-5)
1. Koby Bubash (18)
2. Michael Kitko (16)
t3. Gage Gillott (9)
t3. Cam Panyko Morris (9)
5. Eddie Morris (7)

SETON HILL PRIMER
Overall Record: 29-12
PSAC West Record: 13-7
PSAC West Standings: 4th
NCBWA Regional Ranking: 5th
Home Record: 14-5
Away Record: 12-6
Neutral Site Record: 3-1
Streak: W7
Last Five Games: 5-0
Head Coach: Marc Marizzaldi | 21st season (720-360-1 / .667)
 
SHU'S RECENT RESULTS
April 19 – Clarion – W, 7-1
April 19 – Clarion – W, 3-2
April 20 – Clarion – W, 7-2
April 20 – Clarion – W, 10-5
April 24 – Salem – W, 6-2

SCOUTING THE GRIFFINS
• Winners of seven consecutive games – and 20 of its last 27 overall – Seton Hill comes to Critchfield Park as one of the hottest teams in the Atlantic Region.
 
• As is typically the case for one of the region's top programs, Seton Hill possess a great pitching staff which allows just 3.9 runs per game and limits opponents to a .236 batting average and a .322 on-base percentage.  
 
• Offensively, the Griffins score 6.1 runs per game and are once again menaces on the basepaths with 105 stolen bases (2.56 per game).

TOP SHU PITCHERS
Brandon Bergert: 3-2 – 2.98 ERA – 48.1 IP – 52 K / 19 BB - .213 OBA
Jon McCullough: 3-1 – 4.60 ERA – 43 IP – 43 K / 10 BB - .247 OBA
Aidan Layton: 5-2 – 2.56 ERA – 59.2 IP – 60 K / 11 BB - .224 OBA
Andino Vecchiolla: 2-3 – 4.98 ERA – 34.1 IP – 37 K / 22 BB - .222 OBA
Christian Zilli: 2-0 – 5 Saves – 1.00 ERA – 18 IP – 22 K / 4 BB - .177 OBA
 
TOP SHU HITTERS
Jack Oberdorf: .366 (53-145) – 24 Runs – 8 HR - .444 OBP
Matt Frazetta: .324 (35-108) – 12 Runs – 2 HR - .367 OBP
Max Mandler: .321 (42-131) – 35 Runs – 6 HR – 22 SB - .406 OBP
Owen Mandler: .319 (36-113) – 27 Runs – 4 HR – 12 SB - .458 OBP
Jack Whalen:  .287 (37-129) – 32 Runs – 2 HR – 27 SB – .404 OBP
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock plays its final non-conference contest of the regular season when it hosts Notre Dame College for a single nine-inning game 3 p.m. April 30 at Critchfield Park.





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