SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University baseball team lost a non-conference game to Point Park University, 6-4, Tuesday evening at Critchfield Park.
 
Tuesday's loss moves The Rock's record to 27-16 overall, while the visiting Pioneers improve to 28-17 following the nine-inning win.
 
The Rock's seven hits were divided among six players. Morgen Billotte was the lone SRU athlete to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with one run, one RBI and a double.
 
Max Bernadowski, Stone Powell, Michael Kitko, Clay Wiesen and Brett Galcik accounted for the other five hits with all but Galcik registering doubles. All told, Five of Slippery Rock's seven hits in the game came by way of doubles. Bernadowski had a team-best two RBIs and Kitko extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
 
Leadoff hitter Gage Gillott also reached base twice courtesy of two walks in addition to stealing his ninth base of 2026.
 
SRU used five pitchers Tuesday. Kyle Warnsman (3-1) made the start and went 3.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks. Michael Cahill was the first reliever out of the bullpen, pitching 1.2 innings with one run surrendered.
 
The trio of Nolan Comerford (1.2), Tyler Slone (1.0) and Carter Wilson (1.0) combined to throw 3.2 shutout innings to end the night. Warnsman, Cahill and Comerford collected two strikeouts apiece.
 
Slippery Rock broke a scoreless tie in the third inning via consecutive two-out run-scoring doubles by Bernadowski and Powell.
 
Point Park answered with a decisive five-run fourth inning that was highlighted by a Nicholas Briones three-run home run. The Pioneers recorded an additional insurance run in the fifth to stretch its advantage to 6-2.
 
The Rock and Point Park then traded scoreless innings over the sixth, seventh and eighth frames to send the contest into the bottom of the ninth with SRU still trailing by four runs.
 
SRU opened its comeback bid with four consecutive batters reaching base in the ninth. Treston Nemeth drew a leadoff walk before back-to-back base hits from Galcik and Billotte brought him home. Gillott promptly re-loaded the bases with his second walk of the game before a Bernadowski sacrifice fly plated Galcik from third to cut Point Park's lead to 6-4.
 
However, the comeback threat ended there as Point Park pitcher Joey Tedesco was able to pitch out of the jam by registering a strikeout and game-ending fly out to give, leaving the potential tying runs on base and giving the Pioneers the 6-4 victory.
 
Briones went 2-for-4 with one run, one home run and four RBIs to lead Point Park. The second of six Point Park pitcher used in the game, Logan Creamer (1-0) was the pitcher of record for the Pioneers.
 
Slippery Rock now turns its attention to its final Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division series of the regular season against California (Pa.). While both SRU and Cal have qualified for the PSAC Tournament, important seeding in the conference tournament is still at stake.
 
The Rock and Vulcans play a doubleheader Thursday at EQT Park in Washington, Pennsylvania before coming to Critchfield Park for two games Friday. First pitch on both days is set for 1 p.m.
 
 




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