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. Clarion
The Rock (25-16, 14-10)	Clarion (14-31, 8-16)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach Caleb Lang
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University baseball team will conclude its regular season schedule with five games this week.
 
THE SCHEDULE
Slippery Rock first hosts Notre Dame College for a final non-conference game 6 p.m. Tuesday at Critchfield Park before embarking on a critical Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division series against Clarion.
 
SRU will travel to Clarion for a road doubleheader Thursday before hosting the Golden Eagles for a pair of games Friday. 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 every game this week 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.

SENIOR DAY FRIDAY
Prior to Friday's game, Slippery Rock's 2024 senior class will be recognized in a pregame ceremony.

STANDINGS CHECK
Slippery Rock controls its own postseason destiny as it enters the final week of the regular season.
 
• With four conference games remaining in the season, Slippery Rock sits third in the PSAC West standings with a 14-10 league record - three games ahead of fifth-place California (11-13) and two games behind third-place Indiana (16-8).
 
• Seton Hill and Mercyhurst are tied for the PSAC West lead with matching 17-7 conference marks.
 
• 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.
 
• The easiest path for Slippery Rock to clinch its second trip to the conference tournament without any help from around the league is by winning at least two games against Clarion. A series split with the Golden Eagles would make it impossible for California – which faces Pitt-Johnstown this weekend – to catch SRU.  
 
• If California loses two or more games to Pitt-Johnstown, The Rock will also clinch regardless of the outcomes versus Clarion.
 
• If SRU and Cal finish with the same record it would come down to the conference's predetermined tiebreakers.
 
• Since The Rock and Vulcans split their four-game season series the second tiebreaker of "Record vs. conference division teams progressing down until the tie is broken." would come into play. If that happens it depends on who is in first place in the PSAC West standings as to who will earn the fourth bid in the division.
                                    • SRU went 0-4 vs. Seton Hill – Cal was 2-2
                                    • SRU went 2-2 vs. Mercyhurst – Cal was 1-3
                                    • SRU went 3-1 vs. IUP – Cal was 0-4

NOTRE DAME GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Notre Dame College
Date: Tuesday – 6 p.m.
Location: Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Venue: Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: SRU leads 2-0-1
Last Played: April. 17, 2013 (SRU DH sweep)
 
SERIES HISTORY
Slippery Rock holds a 2-0-1 record against Notre Dame. The team's last played in 2013 when SRU posted a doubleheader sweep of the Falcons at Critchfield Park.
 
CLARION SERIES DETAILS
Opponent: Clarion
Video (All Games): Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
Games 1-2: Thursday – 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Location: Memorial Stadium - Clarion, Pennsylvania
Live Stats: Link
Games 3-4: Friday – 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Location: Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Venue: Critchfield Park
Live Stats: Link
All-Time Series: SRU leads 150-43
Last Played: April 29, 2023 (SRU DH sweep)
 
SERIES HISTORY
In a series which can be traced to 1969, Slippery Rock holds a commanding 150-43 all-time record against Clarion. SRU has lost just once to the Golden Eagles over the last two seasons.
 
Top Rock Performers vs. Clarion
Eddie Morris: 5 Games - .375 (6-16), 4 Runs, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB
Braden Olson: 4 Games - .750 (3-4), 3 Runs, 1 RBI, 5 BB
 
LAST TIME OUT
• Slippery Rock was swept in a four-game series by Seton Hill.
 
• Notre Dame was also held without a win in its four-game series against Frostburg State.
 
• Clarion earned a four-game series split against Gannon.
 

TALE OF THE TAPE
STAT	FALCONS	ROCK	CLARION
Runs*	4.4	5.0	4.2
Runs Allowed*	8.9	3.8	6.0
Hits*	6.8	8.4	7.2
Hits Allowed*	10.5	6.6	7.9
Team Batting Average	.242	.287	.255
Opp. Batting Average	.344	.237	.278
Team OB%	.354	.366	.368
Opp. OB%	.460	.325	.391
Team ERA	9.04	3.45	5.41
Opp. ERA	4.14	5.47	4.02
* per game stats

SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
Overall Record: 24-16
PSAC West Record: 14-10
PSAC West Standings: 4th
NCAA Regional Rankings: Under Consideration
Home Record: 13-10
Away Record: 8-5
Neutral Site Record: 3-1
Streak: L5
Last Five Games: 0-5
Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 39th season (1,119-739-5 / .602)

SCOUTING THE ROCK
• Slippery Rock's pitching staff has been one of the most effective units in Division II. Entering the final stages of the 2024 season, SRU ranks third in the nation in shutouts (7), fifth in ERA (3.45), seventh in complete games (8), 10th in hits allowed per nine innings (8.00), 10th in WHIP (1.29) and 19th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.41).
 
• Opponents have scored just 3.8 runs per game against SRU this year on a .237 batting average and .325 on-base percentage.
 
• Offensively, Slippery Rock is good for 5.0 runs per game thanks to 8.4 hits a contest.
 
SRU'S RECENT RESULTS
April 24 – Frostburg – L, 11-2
April 26 – Seton Hill – L, 6-2
April 26 – Seton Hill – L, 1-0
April 27 – Seton Hill – L, 2-1
April 27 – Seton Hill – L, 8-2

THE ROCK ROTATION
• The Rock's weekend rotation of late has consisted of Gage Gillott, , Nate Malak, Joey Purcell and Hunter Loomis.
 
• The trio Gillott, Purcell and Malak have pitched into at least the sixth inning in 18 of their 23 combined starts this year.
 
• Gillott anchors The Rock's pitching staff. His ERA of 1.73 is the fourth lowest in all of Division II. Over 10 starts, the USC Upstate transfer has gone 6-3 with 60 strikeouts and a.197 opponent batting average over 62.1 innings pitched.
 
• The Rock's redshirt sophomore ace also ranks third in Division II in complete games, ninth in WHIP (0.96) and 22nd in hits allowed per nine innings (6.35).
 
• Few pitchers in the conference have been as impressive of late as Malak, who has surrendered just four runs against PSAC West teams this season. All told, Malak is 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA and .168 opponent batting average to go along with 26 strikeouts and seven walks in 28.2 innings of work.
 
• Most recently, Malak held Seton Hill to just one unearned run and two hits over 6.2 innings in a tight 1-0 loss to the Griffins. Opponents have produced just one extra-base hit this year off Malak.
 
• Over eight starts and 54 innings pitched in 2024, Purcell has gone 4-4 with a 2.83 ERA, 59 strikeouts, only 14 walks and a .201 opponent batting average.
 
• Purcell currently holds the PSAC's 10th lowest ERA in addition to being 14th in the nation in WHIP (1.00) and 27th in hits allowed per nine innings (6.67).
 
• Loomis has pitched 18.1 innings in eight appearances this year and is 2-2 with a 6.87 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
 
• 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 14 appearances this season, Robert Herr holds a 3-1 record with three saves and a 4.80 ERA through 30 innings pitched out of SRU's bullpen.
 
• Gino Marra has not allowed a run in his last five appearances, going 1-0 with one save, a 2.25 ERA and a .254 opponent batting average on the year. He's logged 16 innings on the mound.
 
• In four appearances versus PSAC West teams, Mark Wilbur Jr. has allowed two runs over seven innings with nine strikeouts, three walks and four hits allowed. In 2024 overall, Wilbur Jr. carries a 4.11 ERA through eight appearances and 15.1 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.
 
• Rounding out The Rock's stable of arms are Eoin Rossman (4.50 ERA, 6 IP, 10 K, .261 OBA) and Joey Vanzin (0-1, 7.2 IP, 5.87 ERA, 9 K, .222 OBA).

THE ROCK INFIELD
• Senior second baseman Koby Bubash nears the end of what has been a great college career having hit .350 with a .473 on-base percentage, 42 hits, 25 runs scored, three home runs and 23 RBI.
 
• Bubash has produced a team-high 14 multi-hit games in 2024.
 
• Third baseman Brandon Butler is finishing off a successful rookie campaign in which he's hit .330 with 13 runs, one home run and 19 RBI while compiling a .387 on-base percentage.
 
• Purcell, a starter in 29 games at first base, bats .300 with 24 runs, one home run and 14 RBI in addition to four stolen bases and a .391 on-base percentage.
 
• Thanks to 18 hits in his last 44 at-bats, shortstop Braden Olson has grown his batting average 202 points from .065 (2-for-31) on April 6 to .267 entering the Notre Dame game. Olson also leads The Rock with 15 walks for a .387 on-base percentage.
 
• Eight of senior catcher Robby Barrientos' 23 hits this year have gone for extra bases (5 doubles, 2 home runs, 1 triple). He is tied for fourth on the team in RBI (19).

THE ROCK OUTFIELD
Slippery Rock spreads its outfield assignments among four players in Gillott, Kitko, Cam Panyko Morris and Eddie Morris.
 
• In his first season as The Rock's everyday centerfielder, Panyko Morris leads SRU in home runs (6), RBI (26) and slugging percentage (.525) in addition to pacing the team in total extra-base hits with 14.
 
• When not anchoring Slippery Rock's pitching rotation Gillott has started 30 games as a corner outfielder and without a doubt has been on of SRU's most dangerous bats in the lineup, hitting .349 with 25 runs, one home run and 17 RBI while slugging .477 with a .388 on-base percentage and five stolen bases.
 
• An all-around threat at the plate, Kitko is batting .345 with 20 runs, 40 hits, three home runs and 23 RBI. He also slugs .483 with a .387 on-base percentage.
 
• With just five strikeouts in 116 at-bats, Kitko ranks fifth in Division II in the NCAA's "toughest to strikeout metric".
 
• While The Rock's bats were predominantly kept in check by Seton Hill, veteran slugger Eddie Morris came out of the series riding a season-long six-game hitting streak. He also upped his batting average to .286 after the SHU series to go with 16 runs, two home runs and 17 RBI all the while slugging .469 with a .377 on-base percentage.  
 
HITTING WHEN IT MATTERS
Slippery Rock enters the last week of the regular season with seven players hitting at least .300 with runners in scoring position.
 
The Rock With RISP
1. Michael Kitko (.463 / 19-41)
2. Brandon Butler (.412 / 14-34)
3. Koby Bubash (.400 / 12-30)
4. Joey Purcell (.361 / 13-36)
5. Gage Gillott (.353 / 12-34)
6. Cam Panyko Morris (.313 / 10-32)
7. Braden Olson (.304 / 7-23)
 
GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
SRU is 20-2 this season when leading after four innings.
 
WINNING THE CLOSE ONES
Slippery Rock opens the week 12-7 in games that have been decided by three runs or less.
 
ACTIVE STREAKS
Reached Base (Top-5)
1. Eddie Morris (10)
2. Tyler Cerame (3)
t3. Koby Bubash (2)
t3. Joey Purcell (2)
t3. Braden Olson (2)
 
Hitting (Top-5)
1. Eddie Morris (6)
t2. Seven Players (1)
 
NOTRE DAME PRIMER
Overall Record: 10-35
MEC North Record: 7-21
MEC North Standings: 4th
NCAA Regional Rankings: N/A
Home Record: 6-15
Away Record: 2-16
Neutral Site Record: 2-4
Streak: L5
Last Five Games: 0-5
Head Coach: Len Barker | 13th season (248-336-1 / .425)
 
NDC'S RECENT RESULTS
April 25 – Malone – L, 9-8
April 27 – Frostburg State – L, 6-4
April 27 – Frostburg State – L, 18-0
April 28 – Frostburg State – L, 11-1
April 28 – Frostburg State – L, 11-3
 
TOP NDC HITTERS
Alex Jones: .339 (43-127) – 22 Runs – 25 RBI – 10 SB - .460 OBP
Carson Petrecca: .268 (37-138) – 22 Runs – 4 HR – 32 RBI - .394 OBP
Caden Gomes: .306 (37-121) – 21 Runs – 1 HR – 9 RBI - .413 OBP
Aaron Miranda: .262 (32-122) – 20 Runs – 3 HR – 17 RBI - .368 OBP
 
CLARION PRIMER
Overall Record: 14-31
PSAC West Record: 8-16
PSAC West Standings: 6th
NCAA Regional Rankings: N/A
Home Record: 6-12
Away Record: 7-13
Neutral Site Record: 1-6
Streak: W1
Last Five Games: 3-2
Head Coach: Caleb Lang | First season (14-31 / .268)
 
CLARION'S RECENT RESULTS
April 24 – Kent State – W, 10-5
April 26 – Gannon – W, 7-6
April 26 – Gannon – L, 3-1
April 27 – Gannon – L, 7-3
April 27 – Gannon – W, 5-1
 
TOP CLARION HITTERS
Scott McManamon: .319 (52-163) – 31 Runs – 5 HR – 22 RBI – 17 SB - .407 OBP
Kasey Shughart: .331 (50-151) – 18 Runs – 16 RBI - .393 OBP
Caden Contant: .234 (29-124) – 22 Runs – 2 HR – 22 RBI - .421 OBP
Griffin Snyder: .278 (25-90) – 23 Runs – 13 RBI - .374 OBP
 
TOP CLARION PITCHERS
Danny Fox: 0-3 – 3.51 ERA – 25.2 IP – 28 K / 19 BB - .129 OBA
Ryan Gallagher: 2-4 – 4.05 ERA – 40 IP – 35 K / 18 BB - .255 OBA
Reilly Shafer: 7-6 – 4.84 ERA – 70.2 IP – 72 K / 20 BB - .241 OBA
Isaac Schleich: 1-5 – 5.52 ERA – 31 IP – 20 K / 15 BB - .272 OBA
Bobby Curry: 2-1 – 1 Save – 4.85 ERA – 26 IP – 22 K / 10 BB - .327 OBA
 
UP NEXT
If Slippery Rock qualifies, SRU will begin the 2024 PSAC Tournament May 8 at Critchfield Park.





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