SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University baseball team officially begins its 2026 season with four games over the next three days at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.
 

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Date	Opponent	Location	Video
Friday (1 p.m. / 4 p.m.)	Kutztown	Field 4	Link ($)
Saturday (11 a.m.)	Frostburg State	Field 3	Link ($)
Sunday (9 a.m.)	Goldey-Beacom	Field 3	Link ($)
All games played at the USA Baseball Training Complex

LIVE COVERAGE
Video for all four games this weekend are scheduled to be available at the above links ($ subscription required). Slippery Rock University is not responsible for the video or any delays / cancellations / refunds. Full box scores will be posted on rockathletics.com as information becomes available throughout the weekend.
 
SERIES HISTORY
• Slippery Rock has familiarity with all three teams it faces this weekend as the 2026 schedule in Cary is a mirror image of its 2025 season-opening slate.
 
• KUTZTOWN: SRU swept its season-opening doubleheader from the Golden Bears a year ago and is now 12-14 against KU all-time after having won three straight in the series. In what was his first two games in a Rock uniform, catcher Treston Nemeth was 3-for-4 in last year's doubleheader with two runs scored and one RBI while drawing three walks and reaching base a seventh time after being hit by a pitch as part of a strong debut series.
 
• FROSTBURG STATE: The Rock and Bobcats have met annually over the last three seasons. Slippery Rock won the 2023 meeting at SRU while FSU earned a 2024 win at Frostburg State and a narrow 5-4 win in Cary, North Carolina a year ago. Overall, Frostburg State is 14-11 against The Rock all-time. Brandon Butler was 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI in the 2025 meeting with Frostburg State.
 
• GOLDEY-BEACOM: Slippery Rock earned an 11-4 win to close its season-opening road trip a year ago behind a 3-for-4, two-run, two-RBI, one-walk, one-stolen base performance from Gage Gillott.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
Roster: Link
2026 Schedule: Link
2025 Final Stats: Link
PSAC West Preseason Poll: 2nd
ABCA Top 30: Receiving Votes
D2Baseball.com Top 25: Receiving Votes
NCBWA Atlantic Region: 9th
Overall Record: 0-0
Home Record: 0-0
Away Record: 0-0
Neutral Site Record: 0-0
Streak: N/A
Last Five Games: N/A
2025 Final Record: 31-19
2025 Postseason: PSAC Tournament
Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 41st season (1,154-760-5 / .603)

RANKINGS WATCH
Slippery Rock has received conference, regional and national recognition through the early stages of the 2026 season.
 
SRU received two first-place votes and was picked to finish second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division this season in the conference's annual preseason coaches' poll.
 
On the regional level, Slippery Rock was ranked ninth in the most recent National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Atlantic Region poll.
 
Nationally, The Rock were receiving votes in this week's national polls by both the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and D2Baseball.com.
 
PRESEASON HONORS ROLL IN FOR ROCK PITCHERS
Following stellar 2025 seasons Slippery Rock veteran pitchers Mark Wilbur and Nate Malak both earned preseason honors heading into 2026.
 
Wilbur was named to the D2Baseball.com preseason All-America Team while Malak secured a spot in the NCBWA preseason All-Atlantic Region Team.

MESSER OPENS YEAR 9th ON WINS LIST
Slippery Rock head coach, and ABCA Hall of Famer, Jeff Messer begins the 2026 season with a career record of 1,154-760-5 (.603).
 
Messer ranks ninth in DII history for career victories and is the third winningest active coach in the country. He'll begin 2026 just five wins away from passing Mike Sansing (Shorter/Kennesaw, 1989-21) for eighth place on the Division II career coaching wins ledger.
 
DII Coaching Wins (All-Time)
1. John Schaly (Ashland, Active): 1,353
2. Mike Metheny (Southeastern Ok., 1981-17): 1,324
3. Joe Roberts (Armstrong, 1980-13): 1,314
4. Tom Thomas (Valdosta State, 1968-07): 1,308
5. Charlie Migl (St. Mary's, 1987-21): 1,246
6. Greg Guilliams (Flagler, Active): 1,216
7. John Goelz (Sonoma State, 1985-24): 1,174
8. Mike Sansing (Shorter/Kennesaw, 1989-21): 1,158
9. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,154
9. Carl Lancaster (Mount Olive, 1987-18): 1,134
10. Frank Vieira (New Haven, 1963-2006): 1,127
 
DII Coaching Wins (Active)
1. John Schaly (Ashland): 1,353
2. Greg Guilliams (Flagler): 1,216
3. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,154
4. Chris Hanks (Colorado Mesa): 1,117
5. Joe Urso (Tampa): 1,070
 
THE ROCK IN OPENERS
Historically speaking, Slippery Rock has thrived in its first games of the year as SRU is 26-14 (.650) in its 40 season-openers under head coach Jeff Messer.
 
Additionally, Slippery Rock has compiled a record of no worse than .500 in its first four games of the season in 32 of Messer's 40 years in charge of the program including undefeated four-game starts to the season in 2024, 2022, 2013, 2011, 2007, 2005, 1993, 1992 and 1990.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Slippery Rock has been one of the most consistent programs in the Atlantic Region over the last 40 years under head coach Jeff Messer. Dating back to the 1986 season, Slippery Rock has recorded 36 seasons with a .500 or better record. None of the other 30 teams currently competing in the Atlantic Region have exceeded The Rock's amount of .500 or better seasons over that time.
 
COMFORTABLE IN CARY
Slippery Rock has made a trip to the USA Baseball Training Complex and the surrounding fields of the area a routine part of its non-conference schedule in recent seasons. Over the last nine years Rock baseball has journeyed to Cary, North Carolina five times, compiling an impressive 18-6 record.
 
SRU's Record in Cary, North Carolina
2025: 3-1
2024: 3-1
2020: 3-1
2019: 4-2
2017: 5-1
 
HOMEWARD BOUND
After playing 10 straight games away from home to start its 2025 season, The Rock will be sleeping in their own beds for the majority of the 2026 non-conference slate.
 
Following this weekend's games Slippery Rock embarks on a scheduled 11-game homestand at Jack Critchfield Park against Shippensburg (4 games), West Virginia State (3 games) and Mansfield (4 games).
 
SRU was 16-7 in total home games last year, including an 8-1 mark in non-conference home matchups.

A NEW (BUT FAMILIAR) FACE IN THE DUGOUT
Jeff Messer's coaching staff remained largely intact from last season as longtime top assistant Billy Messer returns for his 14th season, while Billy Herman is set for his third season assisting his alma mater.
 
The lone change to the staff came at pitching coach where Mike Nuzzo stepped away following five successful seasons in charge of The Rock's arms. His replacement is no stranger the program, as former SRU standout Ricky Mineo will take on the role for the 2026 season.
 
Mineo was a two-time All-PSAC West honoree at Slippery Rock prior to signing a professional contract with the Minnesota Twins in 2022. Mineo concluded his collegiate career with a 10-5 record, 3.23 ERA and 156 strikeouts over 27 appearances (108.2 innings).
 
AN ARSENAL OF ARMS
On paper, Slippery Rock's pitching staff is as deep as it has been in years with a mixture of veteran front end starters, relievers who have experience in high-leverage situations and promising young newcomers.
 
• One of the top two-way players in not only the PSAC but all of Division II, Gage Gillott opted to return to SRU for a third season after what's already been a star-studded career at The Rock. A two-time All-American, two-time consensus all-region choice, three-time All-PSAC West honoree and 2024 PSAC West Pitcher of the Year, Gillott has gone 11-6 with a 2.68 ERA, 98 strikeouts, .207 opponent batting average and 1.05 WHIP over 110.2 career innings pitched at SRU.
 
• A year ago, Gillott made eight starts on the way to going 4-3 with a 3.16 ERA, .201 opponent batting average and 28 strikeouts through 37 innings.
 
• Nate Malak anchored The Rock's starting rotation during a breakout junior year in 2025. Over 12 starts (65 innings), Malak went 6-3 with a 3.32 ERA, 59 strikeouts, a .218 opponent batting average and 1.12 WHIP. He threw four complete games, including shutouts over Seton Hill, Gannon and Pitt-Johnstown.
 
• On his way to earning second team All-PSAC West accolades, Malak ranked 20th in the nation in complete games, 35th in hits allowed per nine innings (7.20) and 37th in WHIP. He also closed 2025 slotted second in the PSAC among qualified pitchers in opponent batting average, third in hits allowed, sixth in ERA and 10th in strikeouts.
 
• Junior Cole Grady comes to SRU after beginning his career at Glenville State University. He started 21 of 24 games pitched over a two-year career with Pioneers, going 7-7 with a 5.12 ERA, 90 strikeouts and a .246 opponent batting average over 95 innings. He earned second team All-Mountain East Conference accolades last year and ranked 21st in Division II in hits allowed per nine innings (6.90).
 
• The trio of senior Mark Wilbur, junior Joey Vanzin and senior Parker Hogge all logged double-digit appearances out of The Rock's bullpen in 2025.
 
• A 2025 D2Baseball.com All-American, Wilbur made 18 appearances as a junior. He went 2-2 with six saves and a 1.93 ERA in addition to posting a .192 opponent batting average and a 0.93 WHIP. He struck out 52 batters while surrendering just 10 walks over 42 innings pitched. Wilbur heads into the 2026 season ranked fourth in Slippery Rock program history for career saves (9) and 20th in appearances (38).
 
• Vanzin proved himself a more than capable collegiate pitcher as a sophomore. In 14 appearances, he went 1-2 with four saves in 26.2 innings. He closed the year with a 3.04 ERA, 22 strikeouts, eight walks and a .274 opponent batting average. Vanzin yielded runs in only four of 14 games pitched.
 
• After starting 10 games in his first 24 collegiate appearances, Hogge was used exclusively as a reliever in 2025. He threw 22.2 innings in 12 appearances, going 1-0 with one save while tallying 17 strikeouts and six walks. He surrendered two runs or less in 10 of his 12 outings.
 
• In addition to his exploits at the plate, Michael Kitko has also routinely been a shutdown option when called on out of the bullpen.  A season ago, he went 2-0 with three saves over 16.2 innings across eight appearances. He logged a 1.08 ERA and .158 opponent batting average.
 
• A product of Dublin, Ohio, Kyle Warnsman returns for his sophomore season after appearing in three games as a rookie for six innings, including two scoreless frames as part of The Rock's 10-0 shutout of West Liberty.
 
• Also back in The Rock's stable of arms after not pitching in 2025 are Gary Gubbings III, Owen Malak, Michael Cahill and Dawson Wallace.
 
• Among The Rock's 14-man 2026 recruiting class were seven freshmen pitchers: Nolan Comerford (East Patchogue, N.Y.), Joe Conrad (Fairview Park, Ohio), Vince Gaskey (Latrobe), Zachary Hare (Fombell), Tyler Slone (Akron, Ohio), Dylan Smith (Beaver Falls) and Carter Wilson (Hookstown).
 
• Hare enjoyed a distinguished prep career as a two-sport (baseball / football) athlete at Riverside High School. He led Riverside to WPIAL and state baseball titles in both 2023 and 2025 while concluding his prep career with a 21-1 record and 237 strikeouts over 123.2 innings while batting .438. Hare dominated as a senior, going 10-0 with a 0.68 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 72.1 innings in addition to hitting .405 with 18 runs, four home runs and 26 RBIs on the way to being named the MaxPreps National Small Town Player of the Year. He Also collected Player of the Year recognition from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Beaver County Times, Pittsburgh Union Progress and TribLIVE.com.
 
THE ROCK OUTFIELD
• While having to replace two-year starting centerfielder Cam Panyko Morris, Slippery Rock does bring back its two everyday corner outfielders from a year ago in Gillott and Kitko
 
• Gillott shined at the plate in his 41 starts a season ago, slashing .349/.439/.503 with 29 runs scored, four home runs, 25 RBIs, nine doubles, 12 stolen bases and a .942 OPS. In addition to hitting .354 with runners in scoring position, Gillott led The Rock in hits (52), batting average and on-base percentage while ranking second in slugging percentage, OPS, runs, home runs and stolen bases as well as third in RBI and fifth in walks (17).
 
• A starter in 49 of The Rock's 50 games, Kitko split his starts between right field (37), designated hitter (7) and left field (5) en route to batting .293 with a .398 on-base percentage, 26 runs, two home runs and 29 RBIs and a .333 average with runners in scoring position. Kitko ranked as the third toughest athlete to strikeout in Division II with just one strikeout every 26.2 at-bats.
 
• Sophomore Luke Anderton appeared in nine games as a freshman in 2025. Used primarily as defensive replacement, Anderton did go 3-for-7 (.429) at the plate as a rookie with two of the hits being doubles in addition to scoring three runs.
 
• Joining The Rock's outfield group in 2026 season are junior Morgen Billotte and freshman Evan Brown (Chambersburg).
 
• No stranger to the PSAC, Billotte began his collegiate career at Seton Hill in 2024 before transferring to Lock Haven in 2025. At Lock Haven, he started 44 games, hitting .340 with 24 runs scored, three home runs and 19 RBIs to go with seven doubles, seven stolen bases, a .463 slugging percentage and .410 on-base percentage.
 
AROUND THE INFIELD
The majority of Slippery Rock's starting infield is back on the roster from a year ago in the form of junior catcher Treston Nemeth, sophomore first baseman Stone Powell, senior second baseman Clay Wiesen and junior third baseman Brandon Butler.
 
• A second team All-PSAC West honoree, Butler started 46 games between third base (26), designated hitter (13), left field (5) and right field (2). Slashing .329/.419/.425 with 29 runs scored, one home run and 18 RBIs, Butler also compiled a .844 OPS while stealing one base and hitting .357 with runners in scoring position. He led The Rock in triples (3) and ranked second in batting average, second in runs, second in walks (21), third in OPS, third in on-base percentage, third in hits (48) and fifth in slugging percentage.
 
• One of the top true freshmen in the PSAC West a year ago, Powell quickly staked claim to first base for The Rock all the while hitting .328 with a .426 on-base percentage, .526 slugging percentage, 21 runs, three home runs and 24 RBIs. He posted a .952 OPS and stole one base before closing his rookie year leading SRU in slugging percentage, OPS and doubles (10) while ranking second in on-base percentage, third in home runs, third in batting average, fourth in RBI and fourth in walks (19).
 
• Nemeth joined Slippery Rock prior to the start of last season after beginning his collegiate career at Dayton. He started 49 games, 44 of which came as The Rock's everyday catcher. At the plate, he hit .288 with a .390 on-base percentage, scoring 25 runs with two home runs, 21 RBIs, two stolen bases and a .746 OPS.
 
• Having proven capable of playing first base or in the outfield, senior Darryn Callahan also returns for SRU after a junior season that saw the Wellsboro, Pennsylvania native appear in nine games with four starts between first base (3) and right field (1). He scored one run, collected one RBI and produced two hits.
 
• After not appearing in a game, or seeing limited time in 2025, sophomore Aari Fox, sophomore Max Bernadowski, junior catcher Mason Raup, junior catcher Steve Budash and junior Brett Galcik (1 GP in 2025) all return in 2026.
 
• New to The Rock's infield for the 2026 season will be sophomore Jake Robinson, freshman James Miller (Willoughby, Ohio) and rookie catchers Landon Hamer (Warriors Mark) and Zack Kurkey (Atwater, Ohio).
 
• A former Division I athlete at Kent State, Robinson appeared in eight games for the Golden Flashes as a freshman before transferring to SRU. Prior to committing to KSU, Robinson was ranked as the 117th overall player in Pennsylvania, and the No. 20 shortstop in the state, while at Montour High School.
 
• Kurkey was a high school teammate of Slone at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary where he was an All-Ohio selection. Another Rock freshman to earn all-state accolades, Hamer was an All-Pennsylvania choice at Tyrone High School.
 
RECORDS WATCH
Saves
1. Wyatt Daugherty (2016-19): 18
2. John Kovalik (2011-14): 16
3. Ken Ord (1987-90): 14
t4. Mark Wilbur: 9
t4. Ryan Oglesby (2011-15): 9
t4. Matt Jones (1993-95): 9
7. Tim Dickinson (1991-92): 8
t8. Andy McClymonds (2019-22): 7
t8. Travis Holman (2021-22): 7
t10. Larry Ryan (1985-87): 6
t10. Nick Armstrong (2002-05): 6
t12. Michael Kitko: 5
 
Appearances (17-20)
17. Kevin Talmadge - 1991-94): 41
18. Jon Anderson - 2013-16): 40
19. Andrew Null - 2015-18): 39
t20. Mark Wilbur: 38
t20. James Divosevic - 2014-17): 38
 
UPCOMING STAT MILESTONES FOR SRU
Brandon Butler: 1 run away from 50
Brandon Butler: 9 RBIs away from 50
Brandon Butler: 12 hits away from 100
Brandon Butler: 17 games away from 100
Gage Gillott: 2 strikeouts away from 100
Gage Gillott: 4 wins away from 15
Gage Gillott: 6 hits away from 100
Gage Gillott: 6 RBIs away from 50
Gage Gillott: 12 runs away from 75
Gage Gillott: 14.1 innings away from 125
Parker Hogge: 9 innings away from 100
Parker Hogge: 2 strikeouts away from 75
Michael Kitko: 6 hits away from 100
Michael Kitko: 11 games away from 100
Michael Kitko: 20 runs away from 75
Michael Kitko: 20 RBIs away from 75
Nate Malak: 5 wins away from 15
Nate Malak: 11 strikeouts away from 125
Nate Malak: 20.1 innings away from 150
Treston Nemeth: 4 hits away from 50
Stone Powell: 12 hits away from 50
Mark Wilbur: 19.2 innings away from 100
Mark Wilbur: 10 strikeouts away from 100
*Only stats for games played at SRU
 
KUTZTOWN PRIMER
Roster: Link
2026 Schedule: Link
2025 Final Stats: Link
PSAC East Preseason Poll: 7th
Overall Record: 0-0
Home Record: 0-0
Away Record: 0-0
Neutral Site Record: 0-0
Streak: N/A
Last Five Games: N/A
2025 Final Record: 14-33
2025 Postseason: N/A
Head Coach: Eric Folmar | Seventh season (92-145 / .388)
 
TOP RETURNING HITTERS
Bo Barthol: .354 (58-164) – 38 runs – 2 HR – 28 RBI - .433 OBP
Jared Ferguson: .347 (41-118) – 22 runs – 3 HR – 33 RBI - .420 OBP
Nick Varda: .301 (41-136) – 30 runs – 2 HR – 24 RBI - .434 OBP
Michael Burns: .273 (35-128) – 19 runs – 1 HR – 25 RBI - .373 OBP
 
TOP RETURNING PITCHERS
Kannon Zdimal: 3-6 – 52.2 IP – 4.96 ERA –  39 K / 23 BB - .292 B/AVG
Eddie Frye: 3-3 – 3 SV – 20.2 IP – 5.66 ERA –  24 K / 22 BB - .288 B/AVG
Abel Saft: 0-6 – 30.1 IP – 13.95 ERA –  13 K / 11 BB - .375 B/AVG
 
FROSTBURG STATE PRIMER
Roster: Link
2026 Schedule: Link
2026 Stats: Link
Record: 2-1
MEC North Preseason Poll: 1st
ABCA Top 30: RV
NCBWA Atlantic Region: 7th
Overall Record: 2-1
Home Record: 0-0
Away Record: 0-0
Neutral Site Record: 2-1
Streak: W1
Last Five Games: N/A
2025 Final Record: 36-17
2025 Postseason: MEC Tournament
Head Coach: Anthony Williams | Seventh season at FSU (159-105 / .602)
 
2026 RESULTS
• Ashland W (3-2) (Box Score)
• Ashland L (12-10) (Box Score)
• Ashland W (8-5) (Box Score)
 
TOP HITTERS
Drew Jourdan: .500 (5-10) – 4 runs – 2 2B – 2 RBI - .642 OBP
Jake Holler: .375 (3-8) – 2 runs – 2 HR – 5 RBI - .583 OBP
Jackson Schalick: .333 (4-12) – 3 runs – 6 RBI – 1 SB - .357 OBP
Logan Helser: .333 (2-6) – 1 run – .556 OBP
 
TOP PITCHERS
John Smith: 1-0 – 5.0 IP – 0.00 ERA –  7 K / 1 BB - .222 B/AVG
Zach Dodson: 0-0 – 5.0 IP – 1.80 ERA –  2 K / 2 BB - .118 B/AVG
Joey Serafin: 1-0 – 2.0 IP – 0.00 ERA –  4 K / 0 BB - .143 B/AVG
Hunter Layhew: 0-0 – 4.0 IP – 9.00 ERA –  1 K / 2 BB - .313 B/AVG
 
GOLDEY-BEACOM PRIMER
Roster: Link
2026 Schedule: Link
2026 Stats: Link
Record: 3-1 
CACC Preseason Poll: 4th
ABCA Top 30: t-30th
NCBWA East Region: 8th
Overall Record: 3-1
Home Record: 0-0
Away Record: 0-0
Neutral Site Record: 3-1
Streak: W2
Last Five Games: N/A
2025 Final Record: 34-21
2025 Postseason: NCAA Tournament
Head Coach: Tom Riley | 10th season (208-205-1 / .504)
 
2026 RESULTS
• Franklin Pierce: W (7-5) (Box Score)
• Mercy: (L, 11-6) (Box Score)
• Franklin Pierce: W (1-0) (Box Score)
• Mercy: (W, 7-0) (Box Score)
 
TOP HITTERS
Jaime Neris Jr.: .455 (5-11) – 5 runs – 3 RBI – 2 SB - .625 OBP
Owen Knerr: .357 (5-14) – 1 runs – 4 RBI – .412 OBP
Zach Smethers: .267 (4-15) – 4 runs – 3 RBI – 3 SB - .389 OBP
Bobby Stewart: .267 (4-15) – 1 runs – 2 RBI – 4 SB - .313 OBP
 
TOP PITCHERS
Nate Miller: 1-0 – 6.0 IP – 0.00 ERA –  3 K / 3 BB - .105 B/AVG
Connor Blence: 1-0 – 5.0 IP – 0.00 ERA –  7 K / 3 BB - .059 B/AVG
Kory Williams: 0-0 – 6.0 IP – 0.00 ERA –  5 K / 0 BB - .150 B/AVG
George Starr: 0-1 – 4.1 IP – 2.08 ERA –  4 K / 3 BB - .154 B/AVG
Kevin Dillon: 0-0 – 1 SV – 2.0 IP – 0.00 ERA – 1 K / 1 BB - .000 B/AVG
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock returns home to host Shippensburg University for a four-game series Feb. 27-28 at Jack Critchfield Park. First pitch of game one on both days is set for 1 p.m.





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