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. Lock Haven
The Rock (19-14, 6-10)	Bald Eagles (5-29, 1-14)
Roster	Roster
Schedule	Schedule
Statistics	Statistics
Coach Jeff Messer	Coach Heath Smoke Stover
Program Records	Program Records
PSAC Standings
PSAC Leaders
PSAC Schedule
Jack Critchfield Park

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team will look to make up ground in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division standings with a successful weekend series against Lock Haven.

SERIES SCHEDULE
The Rock hosts the Bald Eagles for a doubleheader Friday at Critchfield Park before traveling to Lock Haven for two games Saturday. First pitch on game one both days is set for 1 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.
 
MOTHER NATURE IS UNPREDICTABLE
With the unpredictable spring weather in western Pennsylvania, fans are reminded that any time / location / date changes will be posted on rockathletics.com and all of SRU athletics' official social media accounts as information becomes available.

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.
 
Any Rock baseball alumni interested in attending the ceremony as well as a pre-game get together and free lunch at the Alumni Pavilion are asked to RSVP by April 17 HERE.
 
SERIES DETAILS
Opponent: Lock Haven
Games 34-35: Friday (1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m.) – Critchfield Park
Watch: Link
Live Stats: Link
Games 36-37: Saturday (1 p.m. / 3:30 p.m.) – Watkins Field
Watch: Link
Live Stats: Link
All-Time Series: SRU leads 97-49
Last Played: April 12, 2025 (SRU swept doubleheader)
 
SERIES HISTORY
Slippery Rock has won five consecutive games against Lock Haven to improve its record in the all-time series to 97-49. A year ago, SRU swept the Bald Eagles in a four-game PSAC West series (8-4, 8-2, 4-3, 8-6).

SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 19-14
• PSAC West Record: 6-10
• PSAC West Standings: 6th
• Home Record: 12-8
• Away Record: 4-6
• Neutral Site Record: 3-0
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 2-3
• Head Coach: Jeff Messer | 41st season (1,173-774-5 / .602)
 
ROCK LEADERS
Hitting
Hits: Stone Powell / Michael Kitko – 42
Runs: Gage Gillott – 30
Doubles: Stone Powell – 14
Home Runs: Michael Kitko – 5
RBIs: Michael Kitko – 36
Walks: Gage Gillott – 27
Batting Average: Jake Robinson – .402
On-Base %: Jake Robinson – .488
Slugging %: Michael Kitko – .606
OPS: Michael Kitko – 1.032
 
Pitching
Wins: Warnsman / Hogge / Hare – 3
Saves: Joey Vanzin / Mark Wilbur - 4
ERA: Cole Grady – 3.10
WHIP: Cole Grady - 1.31
Opp. Batting Average: Cole Grady – .223
Innings Pitched: Parker Hogge – 29.2
Strikeouts: Cole Grady / Zachary Hare – 35

PSAC WEST STANDINGS CHECK
This weekend marks the fifth division series of the year for the PSAC West. With 12 divisional games remaining in the regular season, Slippery Rock enters the Lock Haven series slotted sixth in the PSAC West standings.
 
• The top five teams in the divisional standings from both the PSAC West and PSAC East at the end of the regular season qualify for this year's single-elimination PSAC Tournament that will be held at Critchfield Park (May 6-9).
 
• Teams in the top portion of the PSAC West standings are slowly starting to create separation from the pack. Seton Hill sits in first place with a perfect 16-0 conference record followed in the top four by California (11-5), Gannon (10-6) and IUP (9-7).
 
• At 6-9 inside the PSAC West, Clarion currently occupies fifth place in the PSAC West by a half game over The Rock (6-10). The half game discrepancy is a result of Clarion and Lock Haven having the final game of their series postponed due to lightning. According to league bylaws, Clarion and Lock Haven are supposed to make every effort to make up the postponed game by the end of the year to avoid non-completed schedule tiebreakers .
 
• Rounding out the PSAC West standings are seventh-place Pitt-Johnstown (4-12) and eighth-place Lock Haven (1-14).
 
• Slippery Rock has qualified for the PSAC Tournament in three of the last four years.
 
This Week's PSAC West Series Schedule
Seton Hill-California
Gannon-Pitt-Johnstown
IUP-Clarion
Slippery Rock-Lock Haven

LOCK HAVEN SERIES BY THE NUMBERS
Offensively Speaking
• Through 33 games Slippery Rock has averaged 7.2 runs per game on 9.9 hits and 4.1 walks a contest. Collectively, SRU is hitting .327 with a .417 team on-base percentage.
 
• Slippery Rock leads the PSAC in doubles (73) and doubles per game (2.21) while ranking third in the 17-team conference in batting average, fifth in runs scored per game, fifth in hits (327) and sixth in slugging percentage (.489).
 
• Lock Haven enters the weekend with per game averages of 4.2 runs, 7.2 hits and 3.1 walks while batting .259 with a .362 on-base percentage.
 
The Pitching Staffs
• The Rock's pitching staff has limited opponents to 5.0 runs per game on 8.3 hits and 3.2 walks surrendered a game while possessing a 5.32 staff ERA and .289 opponent batting average.  SRU ranks 18th in Division II in strikeouts per nine innings (9.3) and 21st in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.31).
 
• Bald Eagle pitchers hold a 10.51 team ERA with opponents hitting .356 helping to result in 9.9 runs per game allowed.
 
ROCK INDIVIDUALS ON D2 LEADERBOARDS (Top 100)
• Michael Kitko: Toughest to Strikeout (10th / 1 strikeout every 18.2 at-bats)
• Stone Powell: Doubles per game (33rd / 0.42)
• Joey Vanzin: Saves (43rd / 4)
• Mark Wilbur: Saves (43rd / 4)
• Gage Gillott: Doubles per game (56th / 0.39)
• Gage Gillott: Walks per game (87th / 0.82)
• Jake Robinson: Batting Average (100th / .402)
• Stone Powell: Total doubles (67th / 14)
• Gage Gillott: Total doubles (99th / 13)
 
LAST TIME OUT (Box Score)
Slippery Rock went on the road and earned a 10-8 non-conference victory Tuesday at Walsh. Highlighted by a six-run fifth inning, Slippery Rock slugged its way to the victory with 15 hits. Dating back to the end of the 2024 season, Slippery Rock has now won 11 consecutive midweek games.
 
ROBINSON SURGING
Jake Robinson enters the weekend following a 3-for-5, one-run showing against Walsh which was just the latest in a lengthy list of great performances for The Rock's first-year shortstop.
 
Over the last three weeks (16 games), Robinson has gone 26-for-54 at the plate with 18 runs and 16 RBIs. His season batting average and on-base percentage have rocketed up to team-bests of .402 and .488, respectively, thanks to the hot stretch. Robinson also now ranks second for SRU in runs scored (29) and RBI (27) as well as being third in total hits (39).
 
Robinson has also continually produced in high-pressure spots as evidenced by his walk off home run against Gannon and a .500 batting average (16-for-32) with runners in scoring position.
 
KITKO PILING UP HITS AND RBI
Michael Kitko continued his career-year in impressive fashion against Walsh, going 4-for-4 with two runs, one home run, four RBIs and one walk. The four-hit game was the second such of his career while his four RBIs against the Cavaliers marked the third time in the last 12 games in which he's drove in at least four runs.
 
A starter in 30 games this season between the corner outfield spots and as SRU's designated hitter, Kitko is now up to team-bests of five home runs and 36 RBIs – both of which are already personal-bests – in addition to holding a slash line of .385/.426/.606 with 22 runs scored.
 
GRADY TURNS IN ANOTHER GEM
Cole Grady continued his strong first season at The Rock with another great performance on the mound as part of Slippery Rock's narrow 1-0 loss to Gannon last week. Grady pitched five shutout innings with just one hit and two walks allowed.
 
The Glenville State transfer has been Slippery Rock's most consistent pitcher this year, going 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA, .223 opponent batting average and 35 strikeouts over 29 innings pitched. Teams have scored multiple runs against Grady in just three of his seven appearances.
 
WIESEN PUSHES HIT STREAK TO 11
Second baseman Clay Wiesen extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the third inning against Walsh. In addition to being a personal-best in a Rock uniform, Wiesen's current hitting streak is tied for the longest by a Rock athlete in 2026: Stone Powell also had an 11-game hitting streak earlier in the year.
 
Wiesen, who has now reached base in 13 consecutive contests, opens the Lock Haven series hitting .325 with a .395 on-base percentage, 21 runs, two home runs and eight RBIs.
 
DOUBLES BRIGADE
The trio of first baseman Stone Powell, outfielder Gage Gillott and catcher Treston Nemeth have combined to tally 51 percent of The Rock's PSAC-leading 73 doubles this season.
 
• The only Rock infielder to start all 33 games this season, 14 of Powell's 42 hits on the year have come by way of doubles. Overall, he's hitting .350 with four home runs, 26 RBIs and a .420 on-base percentage. 
 
• Gillott is right behind Powell for The Rock's team lead in doubles at 13 in addition to scoring an SRU-best 30 runs and stealing seven bases all the while hitting two home runs, tallying 24 RBIs and hitting .345 with a .486 on-base percentage and .518 slugging percentage.
 
• To go along with his defensive duties behind the plate, Nemeth has belted 10 doubles in his 30 starts helping to up his slash line to .340/.412/.470 with 16 runs, one home run and 22 RBIs.
 
CALLAHAN GETTING GOING AGAIN
After a brief dry spell in which he went just 4-for-23 at the plate during an eight-game stretch, right fielder Darryn Callahan has once again begun to swing a hot bat with six hits and five RBIs over The Rock's last six games.
 
Callahan is having the best season of his collegiate career. He's already set personal bests in runs scored (20), hits (32), doubles (7), home runs (4), RBI (24) and walks (14). If maintained through the end of the year, Callahan will also set career-highs in batting average (.323), on-base percentage (.427) and slugging percentage (.535).
 
BERNADOWSKI AT THE HOT CORNER
While Slippery Rock has had three different athletes start multiple games at third base this season, Max Bernadowski appears to have settled into the position on an everyday role with 14 consecutive starts on the left side of the infield. 
 
After not appearing in a game during his first collegiate season in 2025, Bernadowski has made 28 starts in 2026 (18 at third base / 10 st second base), on the way to batting .282 with 22 runs, two home runs, 12 RBIs and a .376 on-base percentage.
 
MULTIPLE OPTIONS IN CENTERFIELD
Luke Anderton and Morgen Billotte split time as The Rock's starting centerfielder along with Gillotte. Both play excellent defense when occupying the position. At the plate, Anderton hits .308 with 11 runs and nine RBI, while Billotte has scored 14 runs and accounted for 10 RBIs.
 
HARE AMONG PSAC WEST'S BEST YOUNG ARMS
True freshman Zachary Hare has been Rock solid in his first collegiate season. In seven starts, Hare has gone 3-1 with a 4.32 ERA, .232 opponent batting average and 35 strikeouts across 25 innings pitched.
 
Among PSAC West freshmen and redshirt freshmen pitchers, Hare ranks first in strikeouts, second in innings pitched, second in wins and fifth in opponent batting average. Fellow Rock rookie, Nolan Comerford is third in both strikeouts and opponent batting average while ranking fifth among PSAC West rookie arms in innings pitched.

PSAC West Freshmen Rankings
(* = Redshirt freshman)
IP
1. Hunter Steinke (GU) – 25.2
2. Zachary Hare (SRU) – 25
3. Nate Persinger (CAL) – 20.0
4. Evan Stranko (CAL) – 19.1
5. Nolan Comerford (SRU) – 18
 
K
1. Zachary Hare (SRU) – 35
2. Nate Persinger (CAL) – 29
3. Nolan Comerford (SRU) – 21
4. Evan Stranko (CAL) – 18
5. Zachary McLean * (SHU) – 15
 
W
1. Nathan Porath (IUP) – 4
2. Zachary Hare (SRU) – 3
2. Evan Stranko (CAL) – 3
4. Jack Bracken* (SHU) – 2
5. 10 Tied - 1
 
OBA (Min. 15 Innings)
1. Evan Stranko (CAL) – .164
2. Zachary McLean * (SHU) - .221
3. Nolan Comerford (SRU) – .224
4. Nate Persinger (CAL) – .227
5. Zachary Hare (SRU) - .232
  
ROUNDING OUT THE ROTATION
Veteran hurlers Gage Gillott and Parker Hogge have joined Cole Grady and Zachary Hare in The Rock's weekend starting rotation over the last four PSAC West series.
 
• Hogge (3-2) has pitched at least five innings in four of his five starts this season. He leads SRU in innings pitched (29.2) while striking out 20 batters with just six walks allowed.
 
• Gillott (1-2), who has been solid in two of his last three starts, has struck out 15 batters in his four starts against PSAC West opponents.
 
OUT OF THE BULLPEN
Leading The Rock's relief pitching unit is the duo of Joey Vanzin and Nolan Comerford.
 
• Vanzin has made a team-high 14 appearances in 2026 that has amounted to 26.2 innings of work. He's 2-1 with four saves and 33 strikeouts to just eight walks allowed with a 4.05 ERA. Opponents are hitting only .262 off the junior reliever, who has been largely dominant with teams getting to him for multiple runs in just four appearances.
 
• Another highlight of The Rock's 2026 freshmen class, Comerford has logged two saves while carrying a 3.00 ERA and .224 opponent batting average and 21 strikeouts over the first 12 appearances (18 innings) of his collegiate career.
 
• When Vanzin and Comeford are not called on out of the bullpen, SRU most likely turns to Michael Kitko. In addition to his career-year at the plate, Kitko has also made five relief appearances in 2026, going 1-2 with a .278 opponent batting average and 4.05 ERA in 13.1 innings. Only one of the seven runners Kitko has inherited as a reliever have scored.
 
• Tyler Slone struck out the side in the sixth inning of game four in the Gannon series. Kyle Warnsman (3-0, 3.38 ERA, 10.2 IP) has also made multiple appearances out of SRU's bullpen against PSAC West foes.

GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
Slippery Rock is 16-2 when holding a lead after five innings.
 
HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE
Since Critchfield Park's stadium renovation in 2020, Slippery Rock has recorded a 95-54 (.638) overall regular season home record. SRU is 12-8 at Critchfield Park in 2026.
 
HIT MACHINES
Slippery Rock produced 15 hits as part of its win over Walsh, its ## highest single-game total of the 2026 season. SRU enters the Lock Haven series having recorded double-digit hit totals in 10 of its last 15 games. With a minimum of 14 games left in the year, Slippery Rock is on pace to record 466 hits which would rank 16th in SRU single-season program history.
 
OWNING THE MIDDLE STAGES
Slippery Rock has owned the middle stages of games as its scored 82 runs over the fourth and fifth innings of contests while allowing 42 (+40).
 
THE ROCK'S RECORD WHEN/IN…
• In 1-Run Games: 4-3
• When Scoring 6-9 Runs: 8-6
• When Scoring 10+ Runs: 7-0
• When Holding Opponents to 0-5 Runs: 16-5
• When Leading After 5 Innings: 16-2
• When Out-Hitting Opponents: 14-1
 
CLOSE CALLS
Eight of The Rock's 14 losses this season have been by no more than two runs.
 
STACKING UP EXTRA-BASE HITS
106 of The Rock's 327 hits (32.4 percent) in 2026 have been of the extra base variety (73 doubles / 10 triples / 23 home runs). For context, SRU's percentage of hits that went for extra bases in 2025 was .267 and in 2024 was .312.
 
HITTING WHEN IT MATTERS (RISP)
1. Jake Robinson: .500 (16-32)
2. Treston Nemeth: .471 (16-34)
3. Michael Kitko: .465 (20-43)
t4. Stone Powell: .400 (18-45)
t4. Gage Gillott: .400 (12-30)
6. Morgen Billotte: .350 (7-20)
 
MESSER ONE WIN FROM ANOTHER MILESTONE
Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Messer begins the Lock Haven series with 1,173 wins, just one victory shy 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): 1,375
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): 1,235
7. John Goelz (Sonoma State, 1985-24): 1,174
8. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,173
9. Mike Sansing (Shorter/Kennesaw, 1989-21): 1,158
10. Chris Hanks (Colorado Mesa, Active): 1,149
 
DII Coaching Wins (Active)
1. John Schaly (Ashland): 1,375
2. Greg Guilliams (Flagler): 1,235
3. Jeff Messer (Slippery Rock): 1,173
4. Chris Hanks (Colorado Mesa): 1,149
5. Joe Urso (Tampa): 1,092
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
April 21: at Ashland
April 24: at Clarion (DH Game 1)
April 24: at Clarion (DH Game 2)
April 25: vs. Clarion (DH Game 1)
April 25: vs. Clarion (DH Game 2)

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
t5. Matt Jones (1993-95): 9
t5. Ryan Oglesby (2011-15): 9
t7. Joey Vanzin: 8
t7. Tim Dickinson (1991-92): 8
 
LOCK HAVEN PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 5-29
• PSAC West Record: 1-14
• PSAC West Standings: 8th
• Home Record: 3-11
• Away Record: 2-15
• Neutral Site Record: 0-3
• Streak: L10
• Last 5 Games: 0-5
• Head Coach: Smoke Stover | Ninth season (115-129-1 / .345)

LAST 5 GAMES
April 14: vs. Bloomsburg (L, 12-6)
April 11: vs. IUP (L, 14-3)
April 11: vs. IUP (L, 14-5)
April 10: at IUP (L, 10-3)
April 10: at IUP (L, 8-6)
 
TOP HITTERS
Zachary McEllroy: .317 (32-101) – 19 Runs – 2 HR – 17 RBI - .403 OB%
Braden Cummings: .385 (35-91) – 21 Runs – 12 RBI – 13 SB - .468 OB%
Cayde McCloskey: .346 (18-52) – 5 Runs – 12 RBI – .460 OB%
Kellen Jackson: .311 (23-74) – 6 Runs – 10 RBI – .433 OB%
Jerry Lambert: .333 (20-60) – 9 Runs – 2 HR – 7 RBI - .385 OB%
 
TOP PITCHERS
Andrew Kramer: 1-6 – 38 IP – 7.34 ERA –  23 K / 18 BB - .323 OBA
Tyler Serb: 1-6 – 40 IP – 8.33 ERA –  19 K / 13 BB - .345 OBA
Holden Ward: 1-3 – 18 IP – 8.00 ERA –  12 K / 20 BB - .288 OBA
Michael Mariano Jr.: 0-3 – 17 IP – 9.53 ERA –  10 K / 8 BB - .386 OBA
Caleb Zimmerman: 0-1, 3 SV – 8 IP – 13.50 ERA –  4 K / 9 BB - .290 OBA
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock heads to Ashland University for a non-conference game 3 p.m. April 21. SRU and Ashland last played a season ago with The Rock earning a 7-6 road victory.
 
 
 

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