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. Seton Hill
The Rock (10-4)	Griffins (12-5)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach Marc Marizzaldi
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team opens the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division portion of its 2026 schedule this weekend with a four-game series against No. 28 Seton Hill University.
 
SERIES SCHEDULE
Saturday: vs. Seton Hill (Critchfield Park / Doubleheader) - 1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m.
Sunday: at Seton Hill (SHU Baseball Complex / Doubleheader) – 1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m.

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.
 
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "ROCK ATHLETICS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
• Fans can watch every pitch of Saturday's doubleheader against Seton Hill 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.
 
MESSER FIELD DEDICATION SET FOR APRIL 25
At the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year Slippery Rock University's council of trustees approved a naming resolution to honor SRU baseball head coach Jeff Messer. Slippery Rock's home facility collectively will be named "Messer Field at Jack Critchfield Park." The official field dedication will take place prior to the start of The Rock's April 25 doubleheader against Clarion.
 
SETON HILL SERIES DETAILS
Opponent: Seton Hill University
Games 15-16
Date: Saturday (1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m.) – Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
Games 17-18
Date: Sunday (1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m.) – SHU Baseball Complex
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
All-Time Series: SHU leads 38-21
Last Played: May 2, 2025 (SHU swept doubleheader)
 
SETON HILL SERIES HISTORY
The nationally ranked Griffins have been the one PSAC West team that has routinely stymied The Rock over the last three seasons. Seton Hill have won 12 of the last 13 games in the series to improve its record versus SRU to 38-21 all-time.
 
A season ago, the Griffins took three out of four games from Slippery Rock with SRU's lone win coming behind a masterful 78-pitch, two-hit complete game shutout by Nate Malak.
 
Top Rock Performers vs. Seton Hill
Treston Nemeth: .444 (4-9) – 1 Run – 1 RBI (3 Games)
Stone Powell: .365 (4-11) – 1 Run (4 Games)
Nate Malak: 1-2 – 16.2 IP – 1.62 ERA – 10 K / 5 BB - .133 OBA (3 Appearances)
Parker Hogge: 0-1 – 7 IP – 3.86 ERA – .167 OBA (2 Appearances)
Mark Wilbur: 0-1 – 4 IP – 5 K / 2 BB (3 Appearances)
Joey Vanzin: 3 IP – 0.00 ERA – 1 K / 0 BB (3 Appearances)
 

TALE OF THE TAPE
STAT	ROCK	GRIFFINS
Runs*	7.4	7.8
Runs Allowed*	4.5	5.6
Hits*	9.2	9.1
Hits Allowed*	8.2	7.6
Team Batting Average	.313	.296
Opp. Batting Average	.283	.250
Team OB%	.411	.478
Opp. OB%	.356	.347
Team ERA	4.46	5.39
Opp. ERA	7.53	6.62
* per game stats

SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• ABCA Top 30: RV
• D2Baseball.com Top 25: RV
• NCBWA Top 25: RV
• NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10: 4th
• Overall Record: 10-4
• Home Record: 7-4
• Away Record: 0-0
• Neutral Site Record: 3-0
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 4-1
• Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 41st season (1,164-764-5 / .603)
 
LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock recorded its second consecutive series victory by taking three of four games from Mansfield last weekend at Critchfield Park. Following a doubleheader sweep Saturday over the Mounties, Slippery Rock split a Sunday twinbill to stake claim to the series.
 
Game 1: SRU 22 – MAN 4
Game 2: SRU 6 – MAN 1
Game 3:  MAN 4 – SRU 2
Game 4: SRU 7 – MAN 2
 
ROCK CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NATIONAL, REGIONAL ATTENTION
As was the case last week, Slippery Rock is once again receiving votes in American Baseball Coaches Association Top 30 poll as well as the D2Baseball Top 25 and the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Top 25 in addition to remaining fourth in the latest NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10.
 
The Seton Hill series will provide The Rock with an opportunity to register marquee wins and potentially climb their win into the polls as the Griffins start the week positioned 28th in the ABCA poll while also joining SRU in D2Baseball's and the NCBWA's receiving votes categories and slotting one spot ahead of The Rock in the NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10.
 
While the national polls and NCBWA regional rankings are good indicators and provide interesting talking points during the regular season, ultimately the only rankings that matter in Division II baseball are the regional rankings released by the NCAA over the final three weeks of the season.
 
In the Atlantic Region, the conference tournament champions from the PSAC and Mountain East Conference and the next four highest rated teams in the NCAA's final regional rankings qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
 
BATTLE OF THE BEST IN THE WEST
This weekend's series features the top two teams in the PSAC West preseason coaches poll. Seton Hill was picked to win the league with six first-place votes followed by The Rock in second place thanks in part to two first-place votes.
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Friday's doubleheader marks the first time that Slippery Rock has played outside of Critchfield Park since Feb. 22 in addition to being SRU's first true away games of 2026.
 
HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE
Since Critchfield Park's stadium renovation in 2020, Slippery Rock has recorded a 91-48 (.655) overall regular season home record including a 50-16 (.758) 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. SRU has won seven of its first 11 home games in 2026.
 
There are still plenty of chances to watch The Rock at Critchfield Park this season as SRU is scheduled to host teams in 16 of its remaining 33 games in regular season in addition to the 2026 PSAC Tournament being held at Slippery Rock's home park.
 
THE ROCK IN BRIEF
• Through 14 games, Slippery Rock has averaged 7.4 runs per game while yielding 4.5.
 
• On the mound, The Rock's pitching staff ranks second in the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.29), seventh in walks allowed per nine innings (3.06), 10th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.0), 29th in ERA (4.46) and 37th in WHIP (1.46).
 
• Offensively, SRU holds a team slash line of .313/.411/.476. 46 of The Rock's 129 hits (36 percent) in 2026 have been of the extra base variety (33 doubles / 5 triples / 8 home runs). For context, SRU's percentage of hits that went for extra bases in 2025 was .267 and in 2024 was .312.
 
• Slippery Rock has owned the middle stages of games as its scored 43 runs over the fourth and fifth innings of contests while allowing just 10 (+33).
 
GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
When Slippery Rock makes it through the early stages of a game with a lead it has rarely squandered a win in 2026. SRU enters the weekend 5-1 when holding a lead after four innings. That record balloons to 8-1 when leading after five innings and 9-1 when taking a lead into the seventh inning.
 
A CAREER-YEAR CONTINUED
No Rock athlete has started the 2026 season hotter than right fielder Darryn Callahan. One of four members of the roster to have started all 14 games in the field this season, Callahan has compiled an all-around impressive slash line of .450/.542/.750 with 14 runs scored, two home runs, 11 RBIs and one stolen base. Included in his 18 hits are four doubles and a triple.
 
Callahan heads into the weekend ranked 29th in Division II – and seventh in the PSAC – in batting average. Callahan is also positioned third in the PSAC in OPS (1.292), fifth in slugging percentage and 10th in on-base percentage.
 
POWELL AMONG NATION'S BEST IN DOUBLES
First baseman Stone Powell totaled six hits in his 14 at-bats (.429) during the Mansfield series. Of those six hits, five were doubles. Powell, who is batting .396 with a .482 on-base percentage, 10 runs and eight RBIs, has already recorded a team-best nine doubles in 2026.
 
Not only are his nine doubles a PSAC-high, his 0.64 doubles per game serve as the third-highest average in all of Division II.
 
KITKO IN THE CLUTCH
Designated hitter Michael Kitko was a key catalyst in Slippery Rock's series-clinching 7-2 victory over Mansfield last weekend. With The Rock and Mounties deadlocked in a 2-2 tie, Kitko first delivered a two-out, two-run single to put SRU ahead in the fourth inning before later delivering another clutch two-out hit in the form of a three-run homer in the sixth.
 
Kitko's five RBIs were a personal single-game career high and tied for the most by a Rock athlete since Jon Kozarian drove in seven runs against West Virginia State during the 2023 season.
 
On the year, Kitko is batting .316 with a .364 on-base percentage to go with eight runs, two home runs and 14 RBIs. One of SRU's top two-way players, Kitko also pitched four shutout innings out of The Rock's bullpen during the Mansfield series. Kitko has struck out 17 batters while issuing just five walks in 14.2 innings in his four pitching appearances in 2026.
 
THE ROCK'S MIDDLE INFIELD SHINES
The Mansfield series marked the first time this season that Slippery Rock's starting shortstop Jake Robinson and second baseman Clay Wiesen played together.
 
In addition to turning three double plays and playing all-around great defense, the duo also combined to tally 10 hits, 12 runs, five RBIs and three walks at the plate with Wiesen also launching his first home run at The Rock.
 
GILLOTT 12th IN D2 IN WALKS PER GAME
As part of the Mansfield series, left fielder Gage Gillott drew seven walks over the four-game set. Gillott has been one of the most patient hitters in the country this season. His 1.14 walks per game rank 12th in Division II and is tops among all PSAC batters.
 
Gillott has reached base in 13 of 14 games in 2026. As SRU's leadoff hitter, he's slashed .364/.548/.500 with 10 runs, one home run, nine RBIs and six stolen bases. Gillott also made his debut on the mound against Mansfield, striking out three batters in two innings of game three in the series.
 
NEMETH DOING WORK WITH RUNNERS ON
Catcher Treston Nemeth has been at his best in run-producing situations this season. Serving as The Rock's cleanup hitter in 13 of his 14 starts, Nemeth has hit a team-best .500 (10-for-20) with runners in scoring position while sporting a .345 batting average (10-for-29) with runners on base.
 
Overall, Nemeth is tied with Kitko for the team lead in RBI at 14.
 
CENTERFIELD PLATOON PRODUCING
The combination of Morgen Billotte and Luke Anderton have served as SRU's centerfield contingent thus far in 2026 with Billotte making 10 starts and Anderton taking the other four. The results have been great no matter which one has been in the lineup.
 
Billotte has hit safely in six of his last eight games played and has scored 12 runs while driving in seven more to go with a .368 on-base percentage and one stolen base. Anderton has collected five hits in 15 at-bats this season all the while scoring six runs and posting a .474 on-base percentage.  
 
POP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ORDER
Darryn Callahan and Max Bernadowski have provided Slippery Rock with two dangerous bats towards the bottom of its standard batting order as Callahan has hit from the seventh spot in 13 of 14 games with Bernadowski occupying either the eighth or ninth spots in 12 of his 13 starts.
 
Callahan's exploits have already been documented. Bernadowski meanwhile has also impressed in his first year of earning playing time for The Rock. Bernadowski, who has shown the versatility to start games at both second base and third base, is batting .308 with a .391 on-base percentage, 12 runs scored, two home runs and nine RBIs. Four of his 12 hits have gone for extra bases (2 doubles / 2 home runs).
 
MALAK DIALING IN
As The Rock enters PSAC West play, staff ace Nate Malak (2-1) appears to be getting into his 2025 form. An All-PSAC West honoree a season ago, Malak had his best start of the season against Mansfield with five innings pitched and three runs allowed. Malak finished the start with four shutout innings for his second win of 2026.
 
HARE PILING UP K'S
For a second straight weekend, freshman Zachary Hare was great and mostly dominant on the mound en route to his second career win. Hare struck out nine batters over five innings with two runs allowed on three hits and two walks in a 7-2 win against Mansfield. Hare gave up just two hits in his final four shutout innings of work against the Mounties.
 
In three starts this season, Hare is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA, .174 opponent batting average and 20 strikeouts over 12.2 innings. He has settled in nicely in each of his appearances as teams have scored just one run off Hare after the first inning of his three starts.
 
HOGGE IMPRESSES IN FIRST START SINCE 2024
After being used strictly as relief pitcher in 2025 and to start the 2026 season, Parker Hogge made his first start since April 30, 2024 in The Rock's 6-1 victory over Mansfield. Hogge turned in a great performance, scattering one run on two hits and no walks while striking out four batters in five innings.
 
Hogge has pitched in four games this season (1 start / 3 relief) on the way to going 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA, .263 opponent batting average and 10 strikeouts with only two walks in 10.2 innings.
 
TRUSTED TRIO IN RELIEF
Head coach Jeff Messer has relied heavily on the trio of Mark Wilbur, Joey Vanzin and Nolan Comerford out of the bullpen this season. The trust has been justified as the three have formed a shutdown tandem.
 
• One of the top relief pitchers in the region, Wilbur has made seven appearances in 2026. He's 1-1 with four saves and a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings. His lone appearance of the Mansfield series was a perfect four-inning stint that included seven strikeouts to finish out a 6-1 Rock win.
 
• Wilbur has posted 18 strikeouts with only two walks. Across Division II, he ranks seventh in the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio (9.00) and 10th in saves.
 
• Vanzin is right behind Wilbur in usage as he's pitched 12 innings across six appearances. In going 1-1 with one save, Vanzin has limited opponents to a .209 batting average while logging 19 strikeouts and issuing just two walks.
 
• Comerford has pitched 4.1 innings in four appearances as a true freshman. The product of East Patchogue, New York has stymied the opposition with a .133 opponent batting average and a perfect 0.00 ERA.
 
• Just two of the 10 inherited runners that Wilbur, Vanzin and Comerford have been tasked to deal with have scored.
 
ROUNDING OUT THE PITCHING STAFF
Cole Grady (8.2 IP, 0-0, 7.27 ERA, 5 strikeouts) and Kyle Warnsman (1.2 IP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 strikeout) round out The Rock's pitching staff. Both have made multiple appearances with Grady starting two of his three games pitched and Warnsman making a pair of relief outings.  
 
A GAME OF FIRSTS
Four Rock athletes made their collegiate debuts ss part of The Rock's 22-4 series-opening victory over Mansfield. Evan Brown, James Miller and Mason Raup each recorded official at-bats, with Brown going 1-for-1 with one run scored and one RBI, while Owen Malak pitched the seventh inning.
 
HITTING WHEN IT MATTERS (RISP)
t1. Treston Nemeth: .500 (10-20)
t1. Darryn Callahan: .500 (6-12)
3. Jake Robinson: .455 (5-11)
4. Michael Kitko: .421 (8-19)
5. Morgen Billotte: .417 (5-12)
6. Stone Powell: .333 (5-15)
 
ACTIVE REACHED BASE STREAKS
1. Darryn Callahan: 10 games
2. Max Bernadowski: 9 games
t3. Stone Powell: 8 games
t3. Jake Robinson: 8 games
5. Treston Nemeth: 6 games
 
MESSER 10 WINS FROM ANOTHER MILESTONE
Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Messer begins the week with 1,164 wins, just 10 away from tying John Goelz (Sonoma State, 1985-24) for seventh place on Division II baseball's career wins ledger.
 
DII Coaching Wins (All-Time)
1. John Schaly (Ashland, Active): 1,362
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): 1,224
7. John Goelz (Sonoma State, 1985-24): 1,174
8. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,164
9. Mike Sansing (Shorter/Kennesaw, 1989-21): 1,158
10. Carl Lancaster (Mount Olive, 1987-18): 1,134
 
DII Coaching Wins (Active)
1. John Schaly (Ashland): 1,362
2. Greg Guilliams (Flagler): 1,224
3. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,164
4. Chris Hanks (Colorado Mesa): 1,133
5. Joe Urso (Tampa): 1,081
 
RECORD WATCH
Saves
1. Wyatt Daugherty (2016-19): 18
2. John Kovalik (2011-14): 16
3. Ken Ord (1987-90): 14
4. Mark Wilbur: 13
------
t10. Larry Ryan (1985-87): 6
t10. Nick Armstrong (2002-05): 6
t12. Joey Vanzin: 5
t12. Michael Kitko: 5
t12. James Divosevic (2014-17): 5
t12. Brad Tomco (1999-00): 5
t12. Dan Herisko (2005-06): 5
 
Strikeouts (17-20)
17. Matt Gordon (2016-18): 142
18. George Hebert (2009-11): 139
19. Kevin Talmadge (1991-94): 137
20. Joby Lapkowicz (2010-12): 133
Top Active: Nate Malak: 129
 
UPCOMING STAT MILESTONES FOR SRU
Wins
Nate Malak: 3 from 15
Gage Gillott: 4 from 15
Parker Hogge: 2 from 10
Saves
Mark Wilbur: 2 from 15
Innings Pitched
Nate Malak: 1 from 150
Gage Gillott: 12.1 from 125
Parker Hogge: 23.1 from 125
Mark Wilbur: 2.2 from 100
Strikeouts
Nate Malak: 21 from 150
Mark Wilbur: 17 from 125
Gage Gillott: 24 from 125
Parker Hogge: 17 from 100
Hits
Gage Gillott: 15 from 125
Michael Kitko: 19 from 125
Brandon Butler: 11 from 100
Treston Nemeth: 15 from 75
Runs Scored
Gage Gillott: 2 from 75
Michael Kitko: 12 from 75
RBI
Michael Kitko: 6 from 75
Doubles
Gage Gillott: 6 from 25
Michael Kitko: 6 from 25
Stone Powell: 6 from 25
Games Played
Brandon Butler: 9 from 100
Gage Gillott: 11 from 100
*Only stats for games played at SRU
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
March 24: vs. Walsh
March 27: at Pitt-Johnstown (DH Game 1)
March 27: at Pitt-Johnstown (DH Game 2)
March 28: vs. Pitt-Johnstown (DH Game 1)
March 28: vs. Pitt-Johnstown (DH Game 2)
 
SETON HILL PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• ABCA Top 30: No. 28
• D2Baseball.com Top 25: RV
• NCBWA Top 25: RV
• NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10: 3rd
• Overall Record: 12-5
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 3-1
• Neutral Site Record: 6-2
• Streak: 3-2
• Last 5 Games: 3-2
• Head Coach: Marc Marizzaldi | 23rd season (784-388-1 / .669)
 
LAST 5 GAMES
March 15: vs. Bloomsburg (W, 7-3)
March 15: vs. Bloomsburg (L, 13-0)
March 14: vs. Bloomsburg (W, 1-0)
March 14: vs. Bloomsburg (L, 10-3)
March 10: vs. Glenville State (W, 13-2)
 
TOP HITTERS
Nate Dorinsky: .424 (14-33) – 7 Runs – 4 HR - 13 RBI – 4 SB - .474 OB%
Brady Stone: .400 (14-35) – 10 Runs – 1 HR - 9 RBI – .500 OB%
Colin Ahr: .379 (22-58) – 17 Runs – 13 RBI – .493 OB%
Jack Whalen: .348 (23-66) – 16 Runs – 1 HR - 10 RBI – 17 SB - .442 OB%
Jakob Haynes: .283 (17-60) – 19 Runs – 7 HR - 16 RBI – .380 OB%
 
TOP PITCHERS
Sean Williams: 3-1 – 21 IP – 2.14 ERA –  20 K / 5 BB - .219 OBA
Luke Deschenes: 1-1 – 23 IP – 4.70 ERA –  24 K / 4 BB - .284 OBA
Jack Pletcher: 1-1 – 13.1 IP – 4.73 ERA –  8 K / 6 BB - .283 OBA
Mark Wechtenhiser: 1-1 – 17 IP – 5.29 ERA –  24 K / 2 BB - .246 OBA
Christian Zilli: 1-0 – 6 IP – 1.50 ERA –  4 K / 1 BB - .261 OBA
Zach Herb: 3 Saves – 9.2 IP – 4.66 ERA – 12 K / 1 BB - .250 OBA
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock hosts Walsh University for a nine-inning non-conference game 3 p.m. March 24 at Critchfield Park. SRU earned two wins against Walsh a season ago.




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