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. Point Park
The Rock (29-15, 15-9)	Pioneers (32-11, 20-6)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach Loren Torres
Program Records	-
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team will play its most important series so far in the 2025 season this weekend when it meets California (Pa.) for four games followed by a final regular season non-conference contest against Point Park.

THE SCHEDULE
Slippery Rock hosts the Vulcans for a doubleheader Friday before heading to EQT Park for two games with California Saturday. The Rock will then host Point Park for a single nine-inning game on April 29.
 
Friday: vs. California – 1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. (DH)
Saturday: at California – 1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. (DH)
Tuesday: vs. Point Park – 3 p.m. (9 innings)
 
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 doubleheader and Tuesday's game 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.

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.

GAMES 41-44 DETAILS
Opponent: California (Pa.)
Games 41-42: Friday (1 p.m. / 3 p.m.) – Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
Games 43-44: Saturday (1 p.m. / 3 p.m.) – EQT Park
Live Stats: Link
Video: Link
In-game Updates (All Games): Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: SRU leads 118-86
Last Played: April 14, 2024 (Split DH)
 
SERIES HISTORY VS. CALIFORNIA
Slippery Rock holds a 118-86 record against California all-time. Of late, The Rock and Vulcans have split their last three doubleheaders.
 
Top Rock Performers vs. California
• Nate Malak: 1-0 – 0.90 – 10 K / 2 BB – 10 IP
• Brandon Butler: .429 (6-14) – 5 Runs – 1 HR – 3 RBI (4 Games)
• Cam Panyko Morris: .400 (6-15) - 4 Runs - 1 HR – 6 RBI (5 Games)
• Gage Gillott: .363 (4-11) – 2 Runs – 1 HR – 3 RBI (3 Games)
• Michael Kitko: .357 (5-14) – 3 Runs – 1 HR – 2 RBI (4 Games)
 
GAMES 45 DETAILS
Opponent: Point Park
Date: April 29 (3 p.m.) – Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates (All Games): Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: PPU leads 29-16
Last Played: March 26, 2003 (PPU swept DH)
 
SERIES HISTORY VS. POINT PARK
While Point Park is 29-16 all-time against SRU, The Rock and Pioneers have played just twice in the last 25 years and those games occurred all the way back in 2003.
 

TALE OF THE TAPE
STAT	ROCK	CAL	PPU
Runs*	5.5	7.4	7.5
Runs Allowed*	4.05	4.01	4.7
Hits*	8.8	10.4	9.4
Hits Allowed*	7.6	7.8	7.8
Team Batting Average	.294	.345	.311
Opp. Batting Average	.254	.264	.273
Team OB%	.386	.418	.413
Opp. OB%	.323	.335	.341
Team ERA	3.86	4.14	4.93
Opp. ERA	5.72	7.70	7.80
* per game stats

 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Roster: Link
• Stats: Link
• Overall Record: 27-13
• PSAC West Record: 13-7
• PSAC West Standings: 3rd
• Home Record: 14-4
• Away Record: 10-8
• Neutral Site Record: 3-1
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 3-2
• Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 40th season (1,150-754-5, .604)

LAST TIME OUT
Gino Marra pitched two shutout innings out of The Rock's bullpen and Brandon Butler delivered what turned out to be a game-winning hit in the ninth inning that drove in Gage Gillott as part of a 7-6 road victory at Ashland.
 
STANDINGS SNAPSHOT
• With eight conference games remaining in the regular season Slippery Rock enters its penultimate series of the 2025 regular season slotted third in the PSAC West standings with a league record of 13-7.
 
• SRU trails division leader California (15-4) by 2.5 games and second-place Seton Hill (14-6) by just a game, making this weekend's series against the Vulcans an important one both in terms of conference standings and footing inside the Atlantic Region.
 
• IUP heads into the weekend in fourth place at 11-9, two games ahead of fifth-place Clarion (9-11).
 
• The back side of the PSAC West standings consists of Gannon (8-12), Lock Haven (5-14) and Pitt-Johnstown (4-16).
 
• 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 that will be held May 7-11 on the campus of Millersville University.
 
• SRU has qualified for the PSAC Tournament in two of the last three seasons.
 
CLINCHING SCENARIOS
There are multiple ways in which Slippery Rock can officially clinch a PSAC Tournament berth this weekend without involving potential tiebreakers if any of the following scenarios come to fruition.
 
• SRU sweeps California + Seton Hill sweeps Clarion.
 
• SRU takes three of four from Cal + Clarion finishes with no better than a series split vs. Seton Hill + Gannon does not sweep Lock Haven.
 
• SRU splits series vs. Cal + Clarion goes 1-3 or 0-4 vs. SHU + Gannon splits or loses series vs. LHU.
 
• SRU goes 1-3 vs. Cal + Clarion swept by SHU + Lock Haven goes 3-1 vs. Gannon.
 
ROCK NOT IN NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS, BUT HOPE REMAINS
While Slippery Rock was not included in the NCAA's first set of official regional rankings released by the DII Baseball Committee on Wednesday, The Rock's hopes of making their first trip to the national tournament since 2022 are far from dashed.
 
The NCAA regional rankings determine the participants for the NCAA Tournament. The Atlantic Region consists of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the Mountain East Conference (MEC) and select independent institutions within the region's borders.
 
Conference tournament champions from the PSAC and MEC receive automatic berths into the NCAA Tournament with the next four highest ranked teams in the final regional rankings receiving at-large bids.
 
The first set regional rankings – which only included results through April 20 - were listed in alphabetical order with no numerical ranking. Making the initial list were California, Concord, East Stroudsburg, Frostburg State, Millersville, Seton Hill, Shippensburg and West Chester.
 
Despite not being in the first rankings Slippery Rock still controls its own destiny.
 
Not only is Slippery Rock in contention to qualify for and win the PSAC Tournament, but with eight of its final nine games of the regular season coming against ranked teams in Seton Hill and California as well as a final non-conference contest versus a strong Point Park team an at-large bid is still well within reach with a strong finish to the season.
 
Among the metrics the committee looks at in determining the regional rankings are in-region winning percentage, overall D2 winning percentage, strength of schedule, in-region RPI and Key Performance Indicator (KPI). A full breakdown of this week's numbers can be viewed HERE.
 
30 WINS WITHIN REACH
With nine games remaining in the regular season, in addition to any potential postseason contests, SRU is well positioned to register its first 30-win year since 2022. SRU has reached 30 wins in a year 19 times under head coach Jeff Messer.
 
30 Wins at The Rock
40+ (2x): 1989 (42), 2003 (48)
39 (1x): 1999
37 (2x): 1993, 2000
36 (1x): 2009
35 (1x): 2007
34 (3x): 1991, 1998, 2006
33 (1x): 2022
32 (1x): 2001
31 (2x): 2005, 2013
30 (5x): 1988, 1997, 2004, 2015, 2018
 
HOME SWEET HOME
Since its renovation prior to the 2021 season, Slippery Rock has posted an 87-42 (.674) record when playing at Jack Critchfield Park. SRU is 14-4 (.778) start at home this season.
 
With five home games remaining on the 2025 schedule, this year's team has already tallied the fourth most victories at Critchfield Park in the last 15 years.
 
SRU Wins at Critchfield Park (Since 2011)
1. 21 (2022)
2. 19 (2021)
3. 16 (2024)
4. 14 (2025)
 
COMFORTABLE IN THE CLOSE ONES
After its one-run win over Ashland, Slippery Rock is now 12-7 (.632) in games decided by two runs or less.
 
GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
Slippery Rock is a perfect 19-0 when leading after five innings this season.
 
QUICK STARTS = WINS
SRU has scored in the first inning 14 times this season, with 11 of those games having resulted in victories. Slippery Rock also excels when playing with a lead as it is 19-5 when scoring first in games.
 
The Rock's 37 total runs in the first inning of games this season is its second-highest scoring output in an inning behind only 45 runs scored in the fifth.
 
5 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Slippery Rock is 21-1 on the year when scoring at least five runs, but just 6-12 when scoring between 0-4 runs.
 
POWELL AMONG BEST ROOKIES IN THE WEST
Slippery Rock rookie first baseman Stone Powell has gotten off to an amazing start to his collegiate career and as such has positioned himself firmly in PSAC West Freshman of the Year consideration.
 
As of Thursday, Powell led all PSAC West freshmen – true or redshirt – in batting average (.345), home runs (3), RBI (23) and on-base percentage (.438) while ranking second in doubles (10) as well as third in both runs scored (18) and hits (30).
 
17 STRAIGHT FOR BUTLER
Third baseman / outfielder Brandon Butler begins the California series having reached base in 17 consecutive games. The 17-game reached base streak is the best of Butler's career and the second longest by a Rock athlete this season behind Michael Kitko's 21-game streak.
 
If Butler were to reach base in all four games against California as well as The Rock's non-conference contest vs. Point Park, it would mark the ninth longest reached base streak at SRU dating back to the 2012 season. Joe Campagna leads that list after reaching base in 47 consecutive games between 2018 and 2019.
 
KITKO IN THE CLUTCH
Outfielder Michael Kitko leads The Rock in both two-out hits (18) and two-out RBIs (14) this season. Additionally, his .342 batting average with runners in scoring position ranks third on The Rock behind only Brandon Butler (.389) and Stone Powell (.353).

THEFT ON THE BASEPATHS
Through 40 games Slippery Rock has recorded 52 stolen bases in 61 attempts, the most by a Rock team since the 2006 team tallied 69.
 
A combination of 10 Rock athletes have accounted for the 52 stolen bases with Gage Gillott (12) and Tyler Cerame (12) leading the way. Clay Wiesen (9), Cam Panyko Morris (7), Jimmy Sadler (5), Joe Purcell (2) and Treston Nemeth (2) all have multiple stolen bases as well while Brandon Butler, Stone Powell and Caelan Bender have one apiece.
 
The last time SRU had two athletes with 10 or more stolen bases was in 2018 (Frankie Jezioro-15 / Tyler Walters-10). When Wiesen steals his next base The Rock will have their first trio with double digit stolen bases since 1999 (Bob Spangler-24 / Brad Lowe-15 / Greg Stokes-13).
 
SCOUTING THE ROCK
• In addition to holding opponents to just 4.05 runs per game, Slippery Rock also ranks third in Division II (247 teams) in walks allowed per nine innings (2.81), fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.10), 10th in WHIP (1.30), sixth in ERA (3.86), 34th in hits allowed per nine innings (8.92) and 36th in strikeouts per nine innings (8.7).
 
• The Rock's offense has also been on the rise of late. While SRU ranks just 10th in the PSAC in runs per game on the season overall at 5.5, Slippery Rock has averaged 6.5 runs per game over its last 12 contests.
 
THE ROCK ROTATION
• Slippery Rock's starting weekend of rotation of late has consisted of Nate Malak, Gage Gillott, Hunter Loomis and Joe Purcell.
 
• The quartet has proven more than capable of stacking up with the best in the PSAC as evidenced by the groups 15-6 record that's included 140 strikeouts, just 52 walks and a collective .248 opponent batting average (149-600).
 
• Another quality aspect of SRU's starting rotation is the fact that all four members routinely pitch deep into games with a total of 155.1 innings of work this year between the four. The group has pitched into at least the fourth inning in 24 of its 29 starts in 2025.
 
• Malak headlines the group. His breakout junior year has seen the Seneca Valley High School alum go 5-1 with a 3.51 ERA, .238 opponent batting average and 52 strikeouts through 48.2 innings. Malak has pitched three complete games this season and currently ranks sixth in the PSAC in strikeouts, seventh in ERA, seventh in hits allowed eighth in opponent batting average, ninth in walks and 10th in innings pitched.
 
• Gillott has made six starts in 2025 and is 3-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 30 innings. Opponents are hitting a miniscule .178 off the 2024 PSAC West Pitcher of the Year.
 
• Purcell (4-2, 5.56 ERA) has been a model of consistency in his five PSAC West starts this season. He's pitched into the fifth inning in all his starts against The Rock's conference foes while allowing more than three runs in just one of those appearances.
 
• After opening the season as a reliever, Loomis worked his way into SRU's rotation when The Rock began their conference schedule. Individually, Loomis has gone 3-1 with a 2.87 ERA, .246 opponent batting average and 29 strikeouts in his 31.1 innings. Slippery Rock has won six of the nine games Loomis has pitched in this year.
 
• Ethan Edkins (3-3, 6.62 ERA) has started The Rock's last two midweek games. He's pitched 34 innings overall this year with 30 strikeouts and only seven walks.
 
HERE TO SAVE THE DAY
• To say The Rock's bullpen has been good this season would be an understatement. SRU relief pitchers have combined to 9-4 with 13 saves, a 3.25 ERA and a .245 opponent batting average while working 122 innings.
 
• Mark Wilbur spearheads the bullpen. The senior has pitched 34 innings across 14 appearances this year to go 2-0 with five saves and 46 strikeouts while issuing only seven walks. Wilbur brings a 1.59 ERA and an opponent batting average of just .179 into the weekend. He is tied for third in the PSAC in saves and 13th in total strikeouts.
 
• Wilbur has been charged with just two runs allowed over his last seven appearances (15.1 innings).
 
• Like Wilbur, Michael Kitko has been virtually unhittable this year. In seven relief appearances, Kitko is 2-0 with three saves, a 1.38 ERA and .159 opponent batting average. In his 13 innings of work this year, Kitko has struck out 17 batters with just four walks and seven hits allowed.
 
• Kitko has given up a run in just four of his 20 career appearances at The Rock. 
 
• One of the heroes of the Ashland game, Gino Marra is now 4-1 with a 3.29 ERA and .208 opponent batting average in 13.2 innings pitched over eight games this season.
 
• Only Wilbur has pitched in more games this year than Joey Vanzin, who's taken the mound 12 times on the way to going 1-2 with three saves, a 3.74 ERA, 20 strikeouts and eight walks in 21.2 innings.
 
• Joining Marra as left-handed pitching options out of The Rock's bullpen are Robert Herr (0-1, 1 save, 4.30 ERA, 14.2 IP) and Kyle Warnsman (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 6 IP).
 
• Parker Hogge has now pitched 15.1 innings this year, spanning nine appearances. He has one save and most recently gave up just one run in two innings on the road at Ashland.
 
• Only eight of The Rock's 31 inherited runners have scored this year.
 
THE ROCK LINEUP
• Entering the California series the trio of Gage Gillott, Michael Kitko and Tyler Cerame are tied for the team lead in hits with 40.
 
• Gillott, who serves as SRU's left fielder when not pitching, has come on strong as of late with six multi-hit games over his last seven starts as a position player. The hot streak has resulted in him hitting .342 with a team-high .446 on-base percentage all the while compiling 24 runs, three home runs, 21 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
 
• Kitko, SRU's primary right fielder, bats .315 with 23 runs, two home runs, 26 RBIs and a .412 on-base percentage. Most recently The Rock's RBI leader collected his second three-hit game of the season in the win at Ashland.
 
• Cerame has enjoyed a strong senior season in which Slippery Rock's shortstop has dawned a .308 batting average with 33 runs, three home runs, 21 RBIs, a .385 on-base percentage and 12 stolen bases. He holds the team lead for runs scored while also being tied with Gillott for Rock-high honors in stolen bases.
 
• Brandon Butler has followed up on an impressive rookie year in 2024 with another great season as a sophomore in 2025. Through 36 starts split between third base, the outfield and as SRU's designated hitter, Butler has hit .348 with a .444 on-base percentage to go with 24 runs and 14 RBIs. He leads SRU in batting average while ranking second in on-base percentage.
 
• It has taken freshman Stone Powell just 30 collegiate games to firmly established himself as one of the top all-round first baseman in the PSAC West. The rookie out of Neshaminy High School is hitting .345 with 18 runs, three home runs, 23 RBIs and a .438 on-base percentage. 15 of Powell's 30 hits have gone for extra bases (10 2B / 3 HR / 2 3B).
 
• Cam Panyko Morris has made a plethora of run-saving plays during his 37 starts in centerfield this year. Not just a defensive force, Panyko Morris has also slugged a team-best four home runs with 25 RBIs, 21 runs, seven stolen bases, a .307 batting average and .406 on-base percentage.
 
• As the only two Rock athletes to have started all 40 games in 2025, catcher Treston Nemeth and second baseman Clay Wiesen have become reliable fixtures in SRU's starting lineup.
 
• Nemeth carries a .407 on-base percentage thanks to a team-best 20 walks, 37 hits and being hit by nine pitches. Additionally, he's batting .289 with 23 runs, two homers and 18 RBIs.
 
• Wiesen provides The Rock with exceptional defense in the field and a bat that's drove in 20 runs with eight doubles and two triples. He is one hit off the pace for the team lead with 39.
 
• Jimmy Sadler had a great showing in the Ashland win with a 2-for-3 day that included one RBI.
 
• Robert Herr serves as The Rock's fourth outfielder. Over 17 appearances he has hit .263 with five runs scored and seven RBIs.
 
TIMELY HITTING
Slippery Rock enters the California series with six athletes hitting at least .300 with runners in scoring position.
 
1. Brandon Butler (.389 / 14-36)
2. Stone Powell (.353 / 12-34)
3. Michael Kitko (.342 / 13-38)
4. Gage Gillott (.333 / 13-39)
5. Tyler Cerame (.313 / 15-48)
6. Cam Panyko Morris (.306 / 11-36)
 
MIDWEEK SUCCESS
Slippery Rock is a perfect 6-0 in its midweek games this season via two wins over Walsh (5-3, 8-5) as well single-game victories over Mansfield (5-2), Cedarville (7-6), West Liberty (10-0) and Ashland (7-6). SRU has now strung together a 19-9 record in midweek competition over the last three years heading into the Point Park contest.
 
RECORDS WATCH
Saves
1. Wyatt Daugherty (2016-19): 19
2. John Kovalik (2011-14): 16
3. Ken Ord (1987-90): 14
t4. Matt Jones (1993-95): 9
t4. Ryan Oglesby (2011-15): 9
t6. Mark Wilbur 8
t6. Tim Dickinson (1991-92): 8
 
Pitching Appearances (5-8)
5. Mark Draeger (1992-95): 47
5. Mark Dolan (1996-99): 47
7. Dave Samson (2000-03): 46
t8. Matt Jones (1993-95): 45
t8. Mike Cecil (1990-93): 45
t8. Ryan Oglesby (2011-15): 45
t8. Robert Herr (Active): 45
 
Strikeouts (11-15)
11. Ricky Mineo (2019-22): 156
12. Mark Draeger (1992-95): 155
13. Vince Lloyd (2007-10): 154
14. Derek Blyzwick (2003-07): 153
15: Joe Purcell: 152
   
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
April 29: Point Park (Single 9)
May 1: Seton Hill (DH Game 1) – Senior Day
May 1: Seton Hill (DH Game 2) – Senior Day
May 2: at Seton Hill (DH Game 1)
May 2: at Seton Hill (DH Game 2)

CALIFORNIA PRIMER
• Roster: Link
• Stats: Link
• Overall Record: 30-7
• PSAC West Record: 15-4
• PSAC West Standings: 1st
• Home Record: 16-3
• Away Record: 9-2
• Neutral Site Record: 5-2
• Streak: W7
• Last 5 Games: 5-0
• Head Coach: Mike Conte | 29th season (794-540-4, .595)

RECENT RESULTS
April 17: at IUP - W (3-1)
April 17: at IUP - W (7-6)
April 18: IUP - W (7-4)
April 18: IUP - W (1-0)
April 23: at Davis & Elkins - W (12-2)
 
TOP HITTERS
Santino Marra: .431 (53-123) – 32 Runs – 4 HR – 30 RBI - .514 OB%
Payton Conte: .398 (45-113) – 35 Runs – 5 HR – 38 RBI - .459 OB%
Ryan Callahan: .396 (53-134) – 36 Runs – 6 HR – 39 RBI - .443 OB%
Nathan Meeks: .354 (35-99) – 33 Runs – 4 HR – 26 RBI - .464 OB%
 
TOP PITCHERS
Michael Valente: 8-0 – 46.1 IP – 2.14 ERA – 43 K / 12 BB - .246 OBA
Jackson Miller: 4-2 – 33.1 IP – 4.05 ERA – 25 K / 9 BB - .279 OBA
Nathan Holmes: 4-1 – 46 IP – 4.89 ERA – 38 K / 13 BB - .295 OBA
Roman Gill: 4-2 – 31 IP – 2.03 ERA – 17 K / 11 BB - .200 OBA
Jake Kramer: 2-0, 8 Saves – 24.2 IP – 2.19 ERA – 27 K / 5 BB - .211 OBA

POINT PARK PRIMER
• Roster: Link
• Stats: Link
• Overall Record: 30-11
• MEC North Record: 18-6
• MEC North Standings: 1st
• Home Record: 6-2
• Away Record: 16-4
• Neutral Site Record: 8-5
• Streak: W5
• Last 5 Games: 5-0
• Head Coach: Loren Torres | 15th season at PPU (520-227, .696)

RECENT RESULTS
April 18: at Frostburg State - W (8-2)
April 18: at Frostburg State - W (11-1)
April 19: Frostburg State - W (12-4)
April 19: Frostburg State - W (4-3)
April 23: at Seton Hill - W (12-4)
 
TOP HITTERS
Jared Campbell: .393 (53-135) – 50 Runs – 13 HR – 47 RBI - .512 OB%
Crixtian Taveras: .368 (50-136) – 41 Runs – 5 HR – 40 RBI - .450 OB%
Omar Morillo: .338 (53-157) – 39 Runs – 5 HR – 28 RBI - .404 OB%
Isaac Santana: .328 (44-134) – 37 Runs – 5 HR – 37 RBI - .458 OB%
Luis Gonzalez: .283 (39-138) – 21 Runs – 5 HR – 27 RBI - .335 OB%

UP NEXT
Slippery Rock concludes its 2025 regular season with a four-game series against Seton Hill. The Rock will travel to Seton Hill for a doubleheader on May 1 before hosting the Griffins for two games on May 2. First pitch of game one on both days is set for 1 p.m.




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