SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Mansfield Sunday at Critchfield Park.
 
Following a 4-2 loss in the opener, Slippery Rock bested the Mountaineers, 7-2, in game two for the split.
 
Sunday's results, paired with its doubleheader sweep of the Mountaineers from Saturday, gives The Rock their second consecutive series victory and in the process improved to 10-4 in 2026 overall. Mansfield leaves SRU at 9-10.
 
Slippery Rock was led over the doubleheader by Michael Kitko and Max Bernadowski.
 
Kitko pitched four shutout innings with four strikeouts in relief work in game one before driving in five runs and hitting his second home run of 2026 in game two. Bernadowski reached base four times on one walk in game one as well as three hits, three runs, two RBIs and his second homer of the season in game two.

GAME 1: MANSFIELD 4 – SRU 2
W: Quinn Shindler (2-2)
L: Gage Gillott (0-1)
S: Matt Rader (4)
 
One inning proved to be the difference in Mansfield's 4-2 victory in the opener.
 
The Mounties were able to take advantage of four hits, one walk and a Slippery Rock error in the second inning to score all its runs in the game.
 
The Rock attempted to mount a comeback with a run in the bottom of the frame on an RBI-single from Darryn Callahan followed by another tally in the third courtesy of a Treston Nemeth groundout that plated Jake Robinson.
 
However, Mansfield limited SRU to just two base runners over the final four innings to stave off the rally and earn a 4-2 win.
 
Slippery Rock's five hits were distributed evenly to Robinson, Nemeth, Callahan, Clay Wiesen and Stone Powell with Powell's being the lone extra base hit of the game in the form of a third-inning double.
 
Nemeth also drew a walk as did Bernadowski.
 
On the mound, Gage Gillott (0-1) made his season debut. He went two innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk alongside three strikeouts.
 
Out of the bullpen, Kitko struck out four across four shutout innings followed by Nolan Comerford striking out two batters in a scoreless seventh inning.
 
Quinn Shindler (2-2) earned the victory for Mansfield after scattering two runs over five innings before turning the game over Matt Radar, who picked up a save with two shutout innings.

GAME 2: SRU 7 – MANSFIELD 2
W: Zachary Hare (2-0)
L: Austin Beauchamp (0-1)
S: Joey Vanzin (1)
 
Slippery Rock bounced back from the early loss with a series-deciding victory in game two as Kitko and Bernadowski supplied more than enough offensive fire power for pitchers Zachary Hare and Joey Vanzin en route to a 7-2 win.
 
Kitko came up huge for The Rock in game two with pair of clutch at-bats. After his strong work as a relief pitcher in game one, Kitko went 2-for-4 with one run, one home run and five RBIs.
 
Bernadowski went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored, one home run and two RBIs.
 
Luke Anderton also had a multi-hit game going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Gillott reached base twice via a pair of walks while Powell, Nemeth, Robinson and Callahan each walked once with Callahan also scoring a run.
 
Hare settled in after a the first inning to earn his second career win with nine strikeouts and just two runs allowed on three hits and two walks over five innings. Hare gave up just two hits in his final four innings of work.
 
Vanzin capped off a great two-appearance series by throwing two shutout innings that included four strikeouts to close out the win Sunday.
 
Slippery Rock found itself trailing 2-0 following the first inning, but a one-out Callahan walk followed by a two-run blast over the left field wall by Bernadowski evened the game at 2-2 through two innings.
 
With Hare now in firm control of the game on the mound, Slippery Rock went to work on overtaking the Mounties on the back of Kitko, who first delivered a key two-run single to plate Anderton and Bernadowski and give The Rock a 4-2 lead through four innings.
 
The two-run advantage held until the sixth inning when Kitko provided The Rock with even more insurance in the form of a three-run home run to left field.
 
Vanzin then punched out a pair of Mounties as part of game-clinching scoreless seventh inning.
 
Austin Beauchamp (0-1) was the first of four Mansfield pitchers used in game two. He took the loss after giving up four runs on three hits and six walks over 3.2 innings.
 
Slippery Rock continues non-conference play when it hosts West Liberty University 3 p.m. Wednesday at Critchfield Park.




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