GAME PROGRAM INFO
Slippery Rock has moved away from printed game programs for all sports. 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. West Liberty
The Rock (23-11)	Hilltoppers (17-20)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach Eric Burkle
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University baseball team will continue its season long six-game homestand with a pair of midweek games at Jack Critchfield Park.
 
Slippery Rock hosts Cedarville University Tuesday followed 24 hours later with a game against West Liberty University. First pitch of game one on both days is set for 3 p.m.
 
MOTHER NATURE IS UNPREDICTABLE
With the unpredictable spring weather in western Pennsylvania, fans are reminded that any time / location / date changes will be posted on rockathletics.com and all of SRU athletics' official social media accounts as information becomes available. Updates regarding potential postponements and rescheduled games will be included below.
 
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 both midweek 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.
 
GAME 34 DETAILS
Opponent: Cedarville University
Date: Tuesday (3 p.m.) – Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Last Played: N/A
 
SERIES HISTORY
Tuesday will mark the first all-time meeting between SRU and CU.
 
GAME 35 DETAILS
Opponent: West Liberty University
Date: Wednesday (3 p.m.) – Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: SRU leads 35-12
Last Played: April 26, 2023 (SRU won 3-2)
 
SERIES HISTORY
In a series that originated in 1988, Slippery Rock has compiled a 35-12 record against West Liberty. SRU has defeated the Hilltoppers in six consecutive games including 3-2 decision in the most recent meeting between the two teams during the 2023 season.
 
Three active Rock athletes played in the 2023 game. Michael Kitko earned the win after throwing four shutout innings out of The Rock's bullpen while Joe Purcell (1 RBI) and Caelan Bender served as SRU's corner infielders. Additionally, Robert Herr pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in Slippery Rock's 11-0 victory over WLU in 2022.
 

TALE OF THE TAPE
ROCK	STAT	CU	WLU
5.4	Runs*	5.7	6.3
4.2	Runs Allowed*	6.0	6.4
8.4	Hits*	8.0	8.1
7.4	Hits Allowed*	7.8	8.9
.286	Team Batting Average	.256	.280
.251	Opp. Batting Average	.263	.318
.379	Team OB%	.374	.381
.322	Opp. OB%	.396	.412
4.06	Team ERA	5.13	7.39
5.70	Opp. ERA	4.95	5.80
* per game stats

 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10: 8th
• Overall Record: 22-11
• PSAC West Record: 11-5
• PSAC West Standings: t-2nd
• Home Record: 11-3
• Away Record: 8-7
• Neutral Site Record: 3-1
• Streak: W5
• Last 5 Games: 5-0
• Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 40th season (1,145-752-5, .603)
 
LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock registered its second Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division sweep of the season when it took four games from Lock Haven last weekend. The four wins vaulted SRU into a three-way tie for second place in the PSAC West standings with Seton Hill and IUP as well as placing The Rock just a half game back of first place California (Pa.).
 
Game 1: SRU 8 – LHU 4
Game 2: SRU 8 – LHU 2
Game 3: SRU 4 – LHU 3
Game 4: SRU 8 – LHU 6
 
SCOUTING THE ROCK
• After a 10-game stretch in which SRU scored more than five runs in a game just once, Slippery Rock has rattled off four eight-run games over its current winning streak to up its season scoring average to 5.4.
 
• While Slippery Rock has seen an uptick in offense of late, the strength of this year's team continues to be a pitching staff that has positioned itself among the best in the nation in multiple statistical categories while holding opponents to 4.2 runs per game.
 
• Through 33 games, SRU ranks fifth in Division II (247 teams) in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.95), fifth in walks allowed per nine innings (2.90), ninth in WHIP (1.30), 18th in ERA (4.06) and 33rd in hits allowed per nine innings (8.81).
 
STREAKING
Slippery Rock enters the week having won five consecutive games thanks to a non-conference victory over Walsh and its sweep of Lock Haven. Wins over Cedarville and West Liberty would give SRU its longest winning streak since a stretch of 11 victories in 2022.
 
MIDWEEK SUCCESS
Slippery Rock is a perfect 3-0 in its midweek games this season via two wins over Walsh (5-3, 8-5) and Mansfield (5-2). SRU has now strung together a 16-9 record in midweek competition over the last three years.
 
Games against Ashland (April 22 / Away) and Point Park (April 29 / Home) will fill out SRU's remaining midweek schedule in 2025.
 
HOMEBODIES
Since its renovation prior to the 2021 season, Slippery Rock has posted an 84-41 (.672) record when playing at Jack Critchfield Park. SRU is off to an 11-3 start at home this season.
 
ROCK JUMPS TWO SPOTS IN RANKINGS
Behind its five-win week, Slippery Rock jumped two spots in this week's National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Atlantic Region poll.
 
NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10 (April 14)
1. Millersville (27-6)
2. East Stroudsburg (26-7)
3. West Chester (26-9)
4. Seton Hill (25-9)
5. Frostburg State (25-8)
6. California (Pa.) (24-7)
7. Point Park (25-11)
8. Slippery Rock (22-11)
9. Shippensburg (20-14)
10. Concord (20-14)
Receiving Votes: Shepherd (6)
 
GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
Slippery Rock is a perfect 16-0 when leading after five innings this season.
 
QUICK STARTS = WINS
SRU has scored in the first inning 10 times this season, with nine of those games having resulted in victories. Slippery Rock also excels when playing with a lead as it is 16-3 when scoring first in games.
 
AT THE PLATE
• Freshman Stone Powell has put together a quality rookie year in which the first baseman has hit .355 with 13 runs, one home run, 16 RBIs and eight doubles to go with a .440 on-base percentage.
 
• Third baseman / outfielder Brandon Butler's current eight-game hitting streak has pushed his average to .348. Butler, who has scored 18 runs and driven in 11 more, is also one of eight Rock athletes to have drawn double-digit walks to help increase his on-base percentage to .439.
 
• Outfielder Gage Gillott tallied four hits over the Lock Haven series. He's currently batting .319 with a .431 on-base percentage, 19 runs, two home runs, 14 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
 
• Courtesy of a three-hit game in SRU's sweep-clinching contest against Lock Haven, outfielder Michael Kitko has bolstered his batting average to .314 with 19 runs, two home runs and a team-leading 23 RBIs.
 
• No Rock player has crossed home plate more than Tyler Cerame has this season. One of three athletes to have started all 33 games, the veteran shortstop is hitting .306 with 30 runs, three home runs and 19 RBIs in addition to having stolen 10 bases.
 
• Joining Cerame in having started every game this season for The Rock are catcher Treston Nemeth and second baseman Clay Wiesen. Nemeth leads SRU in walks with 19 to go with 19 runs, two home runs and 17 RBIs while Wiesen has posted a team-best 10 extra-base hits by way of eight doubles and two triples as well as stealing eight bases.
 
• In the latest of what is becoming a long list of great defensive plays, centerfielder Cam Panyko Morris made a game-saving catch with two runners on base in The Rock's 4-3 game three victory over Lock Haven. In addition to his defensive prowess, Panyko Morris is also hitting .286 with 15 runs, three home runs, 17 RBIs, five stolen bases and a .387 on-base percentage.
 
• Rounding out The Rock regulars is third baseman Jimmy Sadler, who has collected 15 RBIs and scored 11 runs while stealing five bases.
 
• Albeit a limited sample size, Andrew Frye and Zack Streightif have both hit well when called on. Frye is 3-for-6 with two runs and four RBIs in his first four collegiate games. Streightif has two hits and two runs this year while serving as The Rock's backup catcher.
 
MIDWEEK PITCHING
In their three midweek games this season, The Rock have held opponents to 3.3 runs per game thanks to a staff that has compiled a 2.89 ERA and .231 opponent batting average with 27 strikeouts and just four walks in those contests. Slippery Rock has used seven pitchers in its midweek wins over Walsh and Mansfield.
 
• Mark Wilbur: 7.0 IP – 1-0 – 3.86 ERA – 8 K / 0 BB - .222 OBA
• Joey Vanzin: 6.0 IP – 0-0, 1 Save – 1.50 ERA – 4 K / 1 BB - .217 OBA
• Robert Herr: 5.0 IP – 0-0, 1 Save – 3.60 ERA – 5 K / 1 BB - .235 OBA
• Michael Kitko: 3.0 IP - 1-0 – 0.00 ERA – 4 K / 0 BB -.333 OBA
• Gino Marra: 3.0 IP – 1-0 – 3.00 ERA – 3 K / 1 BB - .100 OBA
• Kyle Warnsman: 2 IP – 0-0 – 4.50 ERA – 1 K / 1 BB - .300 OBA
• Parker Hogge: 2 IP – 0-0 – 4.50 ERA – 2 K / 0 BB - .222 OBA
 
CLUTCH MOMENTS
Slippery Rock begins the week with five athletes that are hitting at least .300 with runners in scoring position.
 
1. Brandon Butler (.393 / 11-28)
2. Stone Powell (.346 /9-26)
3. Michael Kitko (.333 / 10-30)
4. Tyler Cerame (.324 / 12-37)
5. Gage Gillott (.300 / 9-30)
 
HITTING STREAKS ABOUND
Brandon Butler, Stone Powell and Clay Wiesen all open the week with sizable hitting streaks. Butler has hit safely in eight consecutive games with Powell and Wiesen close behind at seven.
 
TAKING THIS ONE IN FROM THE OTHER DUGOUT
Wednesday's game against West Liberty will serve as a homecoming of sorts for Koby Bubash. Now a graduate assistant on the WLU coaching staff, Bubash was a four-year starting middle infielder for The Rock where he was a .343 career hitter with 101 runs scored, 10 home runs and 89 RBIs over 155 games played.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
April 18: vs. Clarion (DH Game 1)
April 18: vs. Clarion (DH Game 2)
April 19: at Clarion (DH Game 1)
April 19: at Clarion (DH Game 2)
April 22: at Ashland (Single 9)
 
RECORDS WATCH
Pitching Appearances (7-11)
7. Dave Samson (2000-03): 46
t8. Matt Jones (1993-95): 45
t8. Mike Cecil (1990-93): 45
t8. Ryan Oglesby (2011-15): 45
t11. Robert Herr (Active): 44
t11. Justin Thomas (2008-10): 44
 
Strikeouts (13-17)
13. Vince Lloyd (2007-10): 154
14. Derek Blyzwick (2003-07): 153
15. Dave Sansom (2000-03): 151
16: Joe Purcell: 146
17. Matt Gordon (2016-18): 142
 
CEDARVILLE PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 15-21
• G-MAC Record: 8-11
• G-MAC South Standings: 4th
• Home Record: 6-9
• Away Record: 5-9
• Neutral Site Record: 4-3
• Streak: W2
• Last 5 Games: 2-3
• Head Coach: Matt Richter | 3rd season (41-94, .304)
 
RECENT RESULTS
April 7: Ohio Dominican - L (12-11)
April 11: at Malone - L (5-2)
April 11: at Malone - L (3-2)
April 12: at Malone - W (5-0)
April 12: at Malone - W (3-1)
 
TOP HITTERS
Eli Henderson: .381 (45-118) – 30 Runs – 19 RBI – 7 SB - .534 OB%
Chris Montes de Oca: .298 (39-131) – 27 Runs – 1 HR – 19 RBI - .411 OB%
Kaden Wilde: .286 (38-133) – 30 Runs – 24 RBI – 6 SB - .409 OB%
Grayson Weikel: .275 (33-120) – 18 Runs – 4 HR – 21 RBI - .412 OB%
Cooper Martin: .252 (32-127) – 17 Runs – 1 HR – 27 RBI - .326 OB%
 
WEST LIBERTY PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 17-20
• MEC North Record: 8-11
• MEC North Standings: 4th
• Home Record: 3-1
• Away Record: 9-11
• Neutral Site Record: 5-8
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 1-4
• Head Coach: Eric Burkle | 13th season (250-339, .424)
 
RECENT RESULTS
April 8: Frostburg State - L (14-5)
April 11: at Point Park - L (13-5)
April 11: at Point Park - L (6-0)
April 12: at Point Park - L (6-0)
April 12: at Point Park - W (9-4)
 
TOP HITTERS
Will Balgo: .341 (43-126) – 30 Runs – 5 HR – 19 RBI - .418 OB%
Ryan Talbert: .315 (40-127) – 26 Runs – 3 HR – 28 RBI - .429 OB%
Adam Och: .307 (35-114) – 29 Runs – 2 HR – 19 RBI - .373 OB%
Will Glick: .295 (38-129) – 15 Runs – 4 HR – 33 RBI - .358 OB%
Jacob Sherman: .261 (30-115) – 30 Runs – 3 HR – 19 RBI - .372 OB%
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock returns to PSAC West competition with a four-game series against Clarion. The Rock hosts the Golden Eagles Friday for two games at Critchfield Park before heading to Clarion for a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch on both days is set for 1 p.m.




To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official athletic communication accounts on 'X' (formerly Twitter, @Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics) and Instagram (RockAthletics).