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. Shippensburg
The Rock (3-0)	Raiders (4-2)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach Matt Jones
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team opens a scheduled 11-game homestand at Critchfield Park with a four-game series this weekend against Shippensburg University.
 
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 verifiable registered service animal, you will be asked to remove your pet from the facility.
 
SERIES SCHEDULE
Friday: 2 p.m. / 4:30 p.m. (Seven Inning Games)
Saturday: 1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. (Seven Inning Games)
 
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "ROCK ATHLETICS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
• Fans can watch every pitch of the Shippensburg series 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.
 
SHIPPENSBURG SERIES DETAILS
Opponent: Shippensburg University
Location: Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
Game 1-2: Friday (2 p.m. / 4:30 p.m.)
Games 3-4: Saturday (1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m.)
All-Time Series: Shippensburg leads 63-46-1
Last Played: March 1, 2025 (Split DH)
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Rock and Raiders have played eight games in the last three years with each team claiming four victories over that time. The Raiders took two of three games from SRU a year ago in Shippensburg.
 
Shippensburg, which holds a 63-46-1 all-time record against SRU, last came to Critchfield Park during the 2022 PSAC Tournament, losing 4-3 to The Rock in a 10-inning opening-round contest. Current Rock pitching coach Ricky Mineo earned the conference tournament victory by throwing 1.2 shutout innings out of the SRU bullpen.
 
Top Rock Performers vs. Shippensburg
Nate Malak: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, 6 K / 2 BB, .056 B/AVG (1 Appearance)
Brandon Butler: .364 (4-11), 1 Run, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB (3 Games)
Gage Gillott: .333 (2-6), 1 RBI, 1 2B (2 Games)
Gage Gillott: 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 6 IP, 4 K / 3 BB, .217 B/AVG (1 Appearance)
Michael Kitko: .300 (3-10), 1 RBI, 1 BB (3 Games)
Michael Kitko: 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.2 IP, 0 K / 0 BB, .000 B/AVG (1 Appearance)
Treston Nemeth: 4 Walks, 1 Hit, 1 RBI (3 Games)
Mark Wilbur: 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 4 K / 3 BB, .222 B/AVG (2 Appearances)
 

TALE OF THE TAPE
STAT	ROCK	SHIP
Runs*	6.7	7.5
Runs Allowed*	3.7	6.0
Hits*	6.3	10.0
Hits Allowed*	10.0	8.7
Team Batting Average	.216	.337
Opp. Batting Average	.326	.274
Team OB%	.343	.416
Opp. OB%	.394	.374
Team ERA	3.52	4.98
Opp. ERA	5.16	8.16
* per game stats

SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• ABCA Top 30: RV
• D2Baseball.com Top 25: RV
• NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10: 5th
• Overall Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 0-0
• Away Record: 0-0
• Neutral Site Record: 3-0
• Streak: W3
• Last 5 Games: N/A
• Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 41st season (1,157-760-5 / .603)
 
THE SEASON SO FAR
Slippery Rock began its 2026 season with an abbreviated weekend at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. SRU officially began its year by sweeping Kutztown in a doubleheader, followed by defeating Frostburg State in a one-run victory. The Rock then had their final scheduled game of the weekend against Goldey-Beacom canceled due to weather.
 
SRU's Recent Results
Feb. 20 – Kutztown – W, 10-3
Feb. 20 – Kutztown – W, 4-3
Feb. 21 – Frostburg State – W, 6-5
 
HOME SWEET HOME
With its season-opening road trip now complete, Slippery Rock turns its attention to a scheduled 11-game homestand at Jack Critchfield Park.
 
Following this weekend's series against Shippensburg SRU will host West Virginia State for three games with a four-game set against Mansfield capping off what will be the program's second-longest stretch of consecutive home games at Critchfield Park: the school record for consecutive home games is 14 in 1985.
 
The remainder of the season will see Slippery Rock play 16 of its next 21 contests – and 27 of the final 45 outings over the course of the year at Jack Critchfield Park.
 
Since Critchfield Park's stadium renovation in 2020, Slippery Rock has recorded an 84-44 (.656) overall regular season home record including a 43-12 (.782) mark against non-conference opponents in home games.
 
A year ago, Slippery Rock went 16-7 at Critchfield Park overall and 8-1 vs. teams from outside the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division.
 
ROCK HANGING AROUND THE NATIONAL POLLS
Slippery Rock continues to be on the cusp of entering the national rankings in two of the three widely recognized organizations that conduct weekly Division II baseball polls. For a second consecutive week The Rock were among the teams receiving votes in the American Baseball Coaches Association Top 30 poll and the D2Baseball Top 25 poll.
 
ALSO GETTING RESPECT INSIDE THE REGION
In addition to being listed among Division II's best teams on a national scale, Slippery Rock also climbed four spots in this week's National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Atlantic Region poll. Shippensburg also checked in at ninth in this week's poll, setting up a weekend series between what are projected to be two of the better teams in the Atlantic Region.
 
NCBWA Top 10
1. Seton Hill (5-1)
2. Millersville (4-3)
3. West Chester (2-0)
4. California (Pa.) (3-0)
5. Slippery Rock (3-0)
6. East Stroudsburg (3-4)
7. Point Park (0-0)
8. Frostburg State (4-2)
9. Shippensburg (4-2)
10. Pitt-Johnstown (5-3)
 
MESSER APPROACHING ANOTHER WINS MILESTONE
The Rock's perfect start to the 2026 season improved head coach Jeff Messer's career record to 1,157-760-5 (.603). The ABCA Hall of Famer enters the Shippensburg series needing just two more victories to overtake Mike Sansing (Shorter/Kennesaw, 1989-21) for eighth place on the Division II career wins list.
 
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): 1,220
7. John Goelz (Sonoma State, 1985-24): 1,174
8. Mike Sansing (Shorter/Kennesaw, 1989-21): 1,158
9. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,157
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): 1,220
3. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,157
4. Chris Hanks (Colorado Mesa): 1,121
5. Joe Urso (Tampa): 1,073
 
STARTING FAST
Slippery Rock has gone at least 5-2 in its first seven games of the season in five of the last six years. SRU needs to take two of four games this weekend to continue the program's impressive trend of quick starts.
 
SRU's Record Through 7 Games
2025: 4-3
2024: 6-1
2023: 5-2
2022: 7-0
2021: 6-1
2020: 5-2
 
SCORE EARLY OR NOT AT ALL
Of the 11 runs scored by Rock opponents over the first three games, eight came in the first two innings of the contests.
 
BIG INNINGS + TIMELY HITTING AT THE PLATE
Slippery Rock earned its three wins last weekend in distinct fashions. SRU used a pair of big innings to bookend the weekend in the form of a six-run fourth in its season-opening victory over Kutztown as well as a three-run sixth to spur on a 6-5 comeback victory over Frostburg State.
 
The middle game of the weekend, a 4-3 win over Kutztown, saw Slippery Rock had just one hit over the final four innings, but it was an important one via a walkoff RBI-single by Jake Robinson.  
 
STRONG STARTS BY CORE TRIO
The returning trio of first baseman Stone Powell, right fielder Darryn Callahan and left fielder Gage Gillott spearheaded The Rock's efforts at the plate in three wins at the USA Baseball Training Complex.
 
Stone Powell: Slippery Rock's sophomore first baseman picked up where left off from his stellar freshman campaign a year ago. Powell posted an impeccable .583 on-base percentage while scoring three runs and driving in two more. Two of his first four hits in 2026 came by way of doubles.
 
Darryn Callahan: After playing in just nine games a season ago, Callahan came out hot to start 2026, going 4-for-9 (.444) at the plate with here runs, one RBI and a .500 on-base percentage. Like Powell, Callahan also collected two extra-base hits in the form of a double and triple.
 
Gage Gillott: One of the top all-around athletes in the PSAC, Gillott did it all through the first three games. He posted a .571 on-base percentage, scored three runs, had four RBIs, stole two bases and tallied two doubles in his three total hits. He also went 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
 
YOU ONLY GET 1 CHANCE TO MAKE A 1st IMPRESSION
Three athletes in their first years with the program made their Slippery Rock debuts last weekend and all three made significant contributions in what hopefully is a sign of things to come in 2026.
 
Jake Robinson: A sophomore shortstop who transferred to SRU from Kent State, racked up three hits and drove in a pair of runs, including the game-winning score on a single in the bottom of the seventh that plated Max Bernadowski and gave SRU a 4-3 victory over Kutztown in game two of the year.
 
Morgen Billotte: SRU's new centerfielder, who was a key contributor at Lock Haven a season ago, scored a team-high four runs last weekend to go with three RBIs, one stolen base and a .364 on-base percentage.
 
Cole Grady: Grady, an All-Mountain East Conference pitcher at Glenville State in 2025, made his first start in a SRU uniform against Frostburg State. He proceeded to turn in a Rock-solid outing against an FSU team that are one of the favorites to win the MEC this season. Grady went four innings against the Bobcats, surrendering just one earned run and working around five hits and three walks while striking out three batters.
 
MALAK SETTLES IN DURING FIRST START
Slippery Rock ace Nate Malak (1-0) logged a great season-opening start as part of SRU's 10-3 victory over Kutztown. Malak struck out three Golden Bears over five innings with three runs allowed. KU did all its damage off Malak in the first two innings of game before the 2025 All-PSAC West honoree settled in to throw three shutout innings with just one hit allowed to conclude the appearance.
 
Malak has now pitched at least five innings in 15 of his last 21 starts dating back to the end of his freshman season.
 
KITKO MAKES FIRST START ON MOUND SINCE 2024
Michael Kitko has been used almost exclusively as a reliever for The Rock with just one start in 21 collegiate appearances on the mound entering this season. Kitko, who is 6-1 with five saves, a 2.22 ERA and .186 opponent batting average in 52.2 career innings pitched, earned his second career start – and first since the 2024 season – in The Rock's 4-3 victory over Kutztown.
 
After allowing three runs on four hits in the first two innings, Kitko closed his start nearly flawlessly with 2.1 shutout innings before turning the game over to SRU's bullpen in the eventual win.
 
A two-way standout for SRU, Kitko also started the other two games of the weekend as The Rock's designated hitter. He totaled two hits - one of which was a double - and two runs scored.
 
NEW YEAR, SAME GREAT BULLPEN
As was the case for the overwhelming majority of last season, Slippery Rock's bullpen was once again a point of strength for The Rock in their first weekend of 2026. Five relievers combined to pitch 9.2 innings over the three games, allowing just three runs.
 
Mark Wilbur: SRU's preseason All-American closer led the group, going 1-0 with one save and a 0.00 ERA over 3.2 innings across the two appearances.
 
Joey Vanzin: Pitched two shutout innings with a mere two hits allowed while finishing out SRU's 10-3 season-opening victory against Kutztown.
 
Parker Hogge: Served as SRU's long reliever against Frostburg. Two of his three innings ended with no FSU runs being scored.
 
Kyle Warnsman / Michael Cahill: Both underclassmen pitched parts of an inning. Warnsman came on for Kitko to record the final two outs of the fifth inning in SRU's 4-3 victory over Kutztown. Cahill notched one out – his first collegiate strikeout – while facing two batters against Frostburg State.
 
ANOTHER FAMILIAR FACE IN THE OTHER DUGOUT
For the second time this season, head coach Jeff Messer will manage against one of his former players when Shippensburg comes to Critchfield Park. The Raiders are led by 1995 Rock alum Matt Jones. Last week, Slippery Rock played Frostburg State, which is coached by another SRU baseball alum in Anthony Williams. 
 
RECORDS WATCH
Saves
1. Wyatt Daugherty (2016-19): 18
2. John Kovalik (2011-14): 16
3. Ken Ord (1987-90): 14
4. Mark Wilbur: 10
t5. Ryan Oglesby (2011-15): 9
t5. 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
12. Michael Kitko: 5
 
Appearances (17-19)
17. Kevin Talmadge - 1991-94): 41
18. Jon Anderson - 2013-16): 40
t19. Andrew Null - 2015-18): 39
t19. Mark Wilbur: 39
 
UPCOMING STAT MILESTONES FOR SRU
Brandon Butler: 1 run away from 50
Brandon Butler: 8 RBIs away from 50
Brandon Butler: 12 hits away from 100
Brandon Butler: 14 games away from 100
Gage Gillott: 2 strikeouts away from 100
Gage Gillott: 4 wins away from 15
Gage Gillott: 3 hits away from 100
Gage Gillott: 2 RBIs away from 50
Gage Gillott: 9 runs away from 75
Gage Gillott: 14.1 innings away from 125
Parker Hogge: 6 innings away from 100
Parker Hogge: 2 strikeouts away from 75
Michael Kitko: 4 hits away from 100
Michael Kitko: 9 games away from 100
Michael Kitko: 18 runs away from 75
Michael Kitko: 20 RBIs away from 75
Nate Malak: 4 wins away from 15
Nate Malak: 8 strikeouts away from 125
Nate Malak: 15.1 innings away from 150
Treston Nemeth: 4 hits away from 50
Stone Powell: 8 hits away from 50
Mark Wilbur: 8 strikeouts away from 100
Mark Wilbur: 14 innings away from 100
*Only stats for games played at SRU
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
March 7: vs. West Virginia State (DH Game 1)
March 7: vs. West Virginia State (DH Game 2)
March 8: vs. West Virginia State
March 14: vs. Mansfield (DH Game 1)
March 14: vs. Mansfield (DH Game 2)
 
SHIPPENSBURG PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• ABCA Top 30: NR
• D2Baseball.com Top 25: NR
• NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10: 9th
• Overall Record: 4-2
• Home Record: 4-2
• Away Record: 0-0
• Neutral Site Record: 0-0
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 3-2
• Head Coach: Matt Jones | 27th season overall (631-583-3 / .520)
 
SCOUTING THE RAIDERS
Shippensburg has opened its 2026 season by winning four of its first six games. The Raiders swept Saint Michael's in a three-game series before losing two of three to Gannon.
 
• The Raiders head to The Rock averaging 7.5 runs per game thanks in no small part to 10.0 hits a contest and a .337 team batting average (.416 OB%).
 
• Shippensburg pitchers allow 6.0 runs per game and carry a team ERA of 4.98 and a collective opponent batting average of .274.
 
• SU returns 21 players from last year's team which went 28-22 and qualified for the PSAC Tournament.
 
TOP HITTERS
Brady Harbach: .579 (11-19) – 5 Runs – 5 RBI - 2 SB - .636 OBP
Evan Shoffler: .474 (9-19) – 9 Runs – 2 HR - 7 RBI – 4 SB - .593 OBP
Will Oates: .348 (8-23) – 5 Runs – 1 HR - 7 RBI – .375 OBP
AJ Wenrich: .263 (5-19) – 4 Runs – 2 HR - 5 RBI – 1 SB - .348 OBP
 
TOP PITCHERS
Brady Kain: 0-1 – 6.2 IP – 1.35 ERA –  5 K / 3 BB - .259 OBA
Jonah Mayer: 0-0 – 6.1 IP – 2.84 ERA –  8 K / 2 BB - .208 OBA
Jacob Dennis: 0-1 – 8.1 IP – 3.24 ERA –  14 K / 2 BB - .235 OBA
Conner Barto: 1-0 – 7.1 IP – 8.59 ERA –  7 K / 7 BB - .276 OBA
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock hosts West Virginia State for a three-game series March 7-8 at Critchfield Park. The Rock and Yellow Jackets play a doubleheader March 7 followed by a single nine-inning game March 8. First pitch on both days is set for noon.
 
 




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).