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. West Virginia State
The Rock (5-2)	Yellow Jackets (4-7)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach Sean Loyd
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team continues its 11-game homestand this weekend when it hosts West Virginia State University in a three-game Atlantic Region series at Critchfield Park.
 
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
The Rock and Yellow Jackets will play a doubleheader (7 inning / 9 inning) Saturday followed by a single nine-inning game Sunday. First pitch on both days is scheduled for noon.
 
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "ROCK ATHLETICS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
• Fans can watch every pitch of the WVSU 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.
 
SERIES DETAILS
Opponent: West Virginia State University
Location: Critchfield Park
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
Game 1-2: Saturday (Noon / 2:30 p.m.)
Game 3: Sunday (Noon)
All-Time Series: SRU leads 15-11
Last Played: March 9, 2025 (WVSU won 10-7)
 
SERIES HISTORY
Slippery Rock holds a 15-11 all-time record against West Virginia State, which has become an annual staple of The Rock's non-conference schedule over the last seven seasons. A year ago, the Yellow Jackets took two of three games from SRU in Institute, West Virginia via bookend victories to the series (3-1, 10-7) with an 8-1 Slippery Rock win sandwiched between.
 
Top Rock Performers vs. WVSU
Gage Gillott: .636 (7-11) - 6 Runs – 2 HR – 4 RBIs – 2 BB – 1 SB (3 GP)
Michael Kitko: .364 (4-11) – 2 Runs – 1 HR – 2 RBIs – 1 BB (3 GP)
Treston Nemeth: 2 Hits – 3 BB – 3 Runs – 1 HR – 3 RBIs – 1 SB (3 GP)
Mark Wilbur: 2 Saves – 4.1 IP – 0.00 ERA – 9 K / 1 BB - .188 OBA (2 APP)
Nate Malak: 1-0 – 6 IP – 0.00 ERA – 8 K / 3 BB - .095 OBA (1 APP)
Gage Gillott: 1-1 – 14 IP – 2.57 ERA – 11 K / 1 BB - .143 OBA (2 APP)
Joey Vanzin: 0-0 – 1 IP – 0.00 ERA – 1 K / 0 BB - .250 OBA (1 APP)
 

TALE OF THE TAPE
STAT	ROCK	WVSU
Runs*	6.1	4.5
Runs Allowed*	4.7	7.4
Hits*	8.1	6.6
Hits Allowed*	9.1	7.5
Team Batting Average	.279	.247
Opp. Batting Average	.303	.289
Team OB%	.380	.359
Opp. OB%	.380	.421
Team ERA	4.24	7.70
Opp. ERA	5.18	4.68
* per game stats

SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• D2Baseball.com Top 25: RV
• NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10: 5th
• Overall Record: 5-2
• Home Record: 2-2
• Away Record: 0-0
• Neutral Site Record: 3-0
• Streak: W2
• Last 5 Games: 3-2
• Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 41st season (1,159-762-5 / .603)

LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock opened the home portion of its 2026 schedule with a four-game series split against Atlantic Region foe Shippensburg University last week at Critchfield Park. The Rock and Raiders traded doubleheader sweeps with Shippensburg taking the first two games of the series only for SRU to salvage the weekend with a pair of wins the following day.
 
Series Results
Game 1: SU 5 – SRU 0
Game 2: SU 7 – SRU 5
Game 3: SRU 7 – SU 5
Game 4: SRU 11 – SU 5
 
ROCK REMAINS IN POLLS
While Slippery Rock dropped out of the "Receiving Votes" section of this week's American Baseball Coaches Association Top 30 poll, SRU continued to receive votes in the D2Baseball Top 25 while also remaining fifth for a second consecutive week in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Atlantic Region Top 10.
 
MESSER HITS ANOTHER COACHING MILESTONE
With two wins against Shippensburg last week, Slippery Rock's Jeff Messer climbed another spot into eighth place on the Division II career head coaching wins list with 1,159. Messer is now 16 wins away from passing John Goelz (Sonoma State, 1985-24) for seventh place on the career wins ledger.
 
DII Coaching Wins (All-Time)
1. John Schaly (Ashland, Active): 1,355
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. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,159
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): 1,355
2. Greg Guilliams (Flagler): 1,220
3. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,159
4. Chris Hanks (Colorado Mesa): 1,125
5. Joe Urso (Tampa): 1,077
 
ROCK SOLID IN FIRST 10 GAME
Slippery Rock has been great in its first 10 games of a season over the last decade. SRU has not had a losing record through 10 games since 2016. Its best start came in 2022 when The Rock captured 10 consecutive victories to ignite an eventual 33-18 record that culminated in an NCAA Tournament berth.
 
A series sweep of the Yellow Jackets would tie this year's team for the second best 10-game start to a season in the last decade.
 
SRU THROUGH 10 (Since 2017)
10-0: 2022
8-2: 2021
7-3: 2024, 2023, 2020
6-4: 2018
5-5: 2025, 2019, 2017
 
BATS ARE HEATING UP
After being held to five hits and five or fewer runs in three of its first five games of 2026, Slippery Rock's offense came alive as part of its Feb. 28 doubleheader sweep of Shippensburg. The Rock recorded double-digit hit totals in both games (10 / 16) as well as seven runs in the opener and a season-high 11 runs in game two.
 
Slippery Rock's 16-hit outburst in game four of the series was tied for the second most hits in a single-game inside the program over the last three years. The 11 runs represented SRU's ninth best tally in a game in three seasons.
 
Most Hits (Since 2024)
1. 21 – 2024 at Gannon
t2. 16 – 2026 – vs. Shippensburg
t2. 16 – 2025 – vs. Goldey Beacom
t2. 16 – 2025 – at Ashland
t2. 16 – 2024 vs. California
t2. 16 – 2024 – vs. Gannon
 
Most Runs (Since 2024)
t1. 17 – 2024 at Gannon
t1. 17 – 2024 vs. Gannon
3. 15 – 2024 vs. California
4. 14 – 2025 vs. Saint Anselm
5. 15 – 2024 vs. Notre Dame
t6. 13 – 2025 vs. Point Park
t6. 13 – 2024 vs. Mansfield
8. 12 – 2025 vs. Saint Anselm
t9. 11 – 2026 – vs. Shippensburg
t9. 11 – 2025 – vs. Goldey Beacom
t9. 11 – 2024 vs. Dominican
 
MORE DEBUTS
This Shippensburg series saw a slew of debuts for The Rock roster in terms of both the 2026 season and in college as a whole.
 
• Brett Galcik served as Slippery Rock's third baseman for all four games of the Shippensburg series. Galcik, who played in 15 games between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, hit .333 with a .429 on-base percentage, three runs, a triple and one RBI in his first action of 2026.
 
• After not playing a game last season, Aari Fox made his collegiate debut in SRU's 11-5 victory over Shippensburg. Fox scored one run and drew a walk in two plate appearances.
 
• True freshman Landon Hamer made his collegiate debut in game two of the Shippensburg series. In doing so he became just the fourth true freshmen at The Rock to make a start at catcher in the last 15 years joining Tyler Walters (20 / 2015), Christian Porterfield (8 / 2015) and Steve Budash (1 / 2024).
 
• On the mound, Slippery Rock used a pair of freshmen for the first time in the Shippensburg series as Nolan Comerford made two relief appearances and Zachary Hare started SRU's series ending 11-5 victory.
 
GAGE DOING GAGE THINGS
It would be near impossible for Gage Gillott to have had a better start to his 2026 season. Through seven starts, Gillott has dominated as The Rock's leadoff hitter. In addition to slashing .478/.613/.696, Gillott has also scored six runs, hit one home run and compiled seven RBIs to go along with three stolen bases and two doubles.
 
While still very early in the season, Gillott, who has hit safely in all seven games this year, currently ranks 16th in the nation in on-base percentage and 32nd in batting average.
 
CALLAHAN AND POWELL COMING OUT HOT
Right fielder Darryn Callahan and first baseman Stone Powell have also enjoyed strong starts to their 2026 seasons.
 
With three appearances this weekend Callahan will already surpass his games played total from a year ago. The uptick in playing time has resulted in Callahan hitting .381 with a team-best eight runs to go with three RBIs and a .458 on-base percentage. Four of his eight hits this season have gone for extra bases (3 doubles / 1 triple).
 
Powell has been near impossible to keep off base as evidenced by his .481 on-base percentage. He's scored three runs and drove in four more.
 
NEMETH AND ROBINSON DOING THEIR PART
Treston Nemeth and Jake Robinson have combined to drive in 12 of The Rock's 43 runs this season. Nemeth is tied with Gillott for the team lead in RBIs at seven with Robinson close behind with four.
 
Nemeth had a particularly strong end to the Shippensburg series. In the last three games against the Raiders, he had six hits in 12 at-bats with six RBIs.
 
ROUNDING OUT THE LINEUP
Michael Kitko, Morgen Billotte and Max Bernadowski have all been staples in The Rock's batting order through the opening two weeks of the season.
 
Kitko: When not pitching, Kitko has served as SRU's primary designated hitter. He's registered hits in all five of his starts along with two walks and one HBP for a .400 on-base percentage as well as scoring three runs, driving in another and turning two of his five hits into doubles.
 
Billotte: The Rock's primary centerfielder is tied for second on the team in runs scored (6) and fourth in RBIs (4). He's also stolen one base.
 
Bernadowski: The first seven games played in his collegiate career have come by way of starts at second base. At the plate, Bernadowski holds a .320 on-base percentage with five runs scored.

THE ROCK ROTATION
The trio of Kitko, Nate Malak and Cole Grady have all made two starts this season, with Hare logging one start.
 
• Malak has registered a pair of five-inning performances over his first two starts of the season. He is 1-1 with eight strikeouts, just three walks and a 4.50 ERA.
 
• Kitko and Grady have each pitched 7.1 innings across their two starts with Kitko having recorded six strikeouts. The Rock have won both games Grady has started.
 
• Hare pitched three innings in his collegiate debut. He limited opponents to only two hits in 11 at-bats and only one of his four runs allowed were earned, but five walks resulted in an abbreviated appearance.
 
COMING OUT OF THE BULLPEN
• Mark Wilbur headlines a solid group of Rock relief pitchers. Wilbur is yet to give up a run in his four appearances (7.2 IP) on the way to going 1-0 with two saves, five strikeouts, only one walk and a .214 opponent batting average.
 
• Joey Vanzin has pitched the second most innings of any Rock relief pitcher so far this year. Vanzin (0-1, 1.50 ERA) has limited opponents to a .182 batting average. Of note, seven of Vanzin's 10 strikeouts this season happened consecutively in his appearance against Shippensburg. 
 
• Comerford (0-0, 0.00 ERA, .111 OBA, 3 K / 1 BB, 2.1 IP), Kyle Warnsman (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 K / 1 BB, 1.2 IP), Parker Hogge (2-0, 5.79 ERA, 4 K / 2 BB, 4.2 IP) and Michael Cahill have all made two relief appearances apiece as well.
 
HITTING WHEN IT MATTERS (RISP)
1. Treston Nemeth: .556 (5-9)
t2. Darryn Callahan: .500 (3-6)
t2. Stone Powell: .500 (3-6)
4. Gage Gillott: .429 (3-7)
5. Jake Robinson: .400 (4-10)
 
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: 6 runs away from 75
Gage Gillott: 14.1 innings away from 125
Parker Hogge: 4.1 innings away from 100
Michael Kitko: 1 hit away from 100
Michael Kitko: 6 games away from 100
Michael Kitko: 17 runs away from 75
Michael Kitko: 19 RBIs away from 75
Nate Malak: 4 wins away from 15
Nate Malak: 3 strikeouts away from 125
Nate Malak: 10.1 innings away from 150
Stone Powell: 4 hits away from 50
Mark Wilbur: 5 strikeouts away from 100
Mark Wilbur: 10 innings away from 100
*Only stats for games played at SRU
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
March 14: vs. Mansfield (DH Game 1)
March 14: vs. Mansfield (DH Game 2)
March 15: vs. Mansfield (DH Game 1)
March 15: vs. Mansfield (DH Game 2)
March 17: at West Liberty
 
WEST VIRGINIA STATE PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 4-7
• Home Record: 4-3
• Away Record: 0-4
• Streak: W3
• Last 5 Games: 3-2
• Head Coach: Sean Loyd | 12th season (292-214 / .577)
 
SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS
• West Virginia State has started the 2025 season with four wins in its first 11 games.
 
• The Yellow Jackets dropped three of four games to Pitt-Johnstown before being swept in a four-game set by Malone. However, West Virginia State bounced back from a rough opening two weeks of the year by sweeping a three-game series from Caldwell at home last weekend.
 
• WVSU comes to Critchfield Park averaging 4.5 runs per game on a team batting average of .247 and a collective on-base percentage of .359.
 
• Opponents have tallied 7.4 runs per game off Yellow Jacket pitching this season. The WVSU pitching staff carries a 7.70 ERA with a .289 opponent batting average.
 
TOP HITTERS
Cameron Peschl: .438 (14-32) – 8 Runs – 3 RBI - 2 SB - .538 OBP
Brodie Guenther: .394 (13-33) – 11 Runs – 1 HR - 7 RBI - .512 OBP
Garrett Wagoner: .265 (9-34) – 2 Runs – 6 RBI - 1 SBI - .375 OBP
Aidan Paulsen: .233 (7-30) – 5 Runs – 2 HR - 9 RBI - .410 OBP
 
TOP PITCHERS
Jared Nethercutt: 0-1 – 13.1 IP – 5.40 ERA –  8 K / 6 BB - .229 OBA
Cam Reed: 0-1 – 15.0 IP – 8.40 ERA –  10 K / 9 BB - .371 OBA
Brian Lingenfelter: 0-2 – 8.0 IP – 12.38 ERA –  6 K / 5 BB - .342 OBA
Bryce Eggleton: 2-0 – 4.2 IP – 7.71 ERA –  3 K / 1 BB - .350 OBA
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock remains home for a four-game series against Mansfield University March 14-15 at Critchfield Park.
 
 
 
 
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).