The Slippery Rock University baseball team (17-12) completed a series sweep at home against Gannon (10-20) Monday afternoon, winning game one of the double header 9-2 and game two 7-6.
“Any time you can sweep a PSAC team is great,” Rock head coach Jeff Messer said. “Three out of four against anyone is great, but getting that fourth win is a big deal, especially when the playoff picture is getting tighter.”
SRU scored first in the bottom of the second inning in game one as redshirt sophomore Logan Brown and sophomore Preston Falascino each crossed home plate after an error by Gannon’s right fielder. Senior Jake Nogalo then hit an RBI sacrifice fly to extend the lead before the end of the second. Nogalo was also able to hit a two RBI triple in the fourth inning, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman Tyler Walter. Junior Alex Bell hit a two-run home run later in the inning, quickly followed by a solo homer by Brown.
Redshirt junior Jon Anderson was on the mound for Slippery Rock in game one. Anderson pitched five complete innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He was also able to strike out three. Senior Anton Constantino came in to the game in the sixth inning for relief. Constantino pitched the remainder of the game, allowing no hits but one run. Anderson was credited with his second win of the season.
Walters hit a solo home run in the bottom half of the first inning to give the Rock an early lead in game two. Nogalo was able to score on a wild pitch in the third inning, quickly followed by an RBI ground out by Falascino. Senior Adam Urbania hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to force the game into extra innings. Heading into the bottom of the eighth inning and down by one, junior Jordan Faretta hit an RBI single to tie the game at six. The game ended with a walk off error by Gannon’s pitcher as he attempted to pick off Nogalo at first base, allowing sophomore Carson Kessler to score from third.
“Our power numbers are definitely getting better,” Messer said. “Without our power production in our six games, the results could be very different. We just hope the offensive production keeps on going well.”
Freshman Alex Pantuso was the starting pitcher for the Green and White in game two. Pantuso pitched three complete innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out three. Falascino took over pitching duties in the fourth inning, also lasting three complete innings and giving up one run on six hits. Sophomore James Divosevic entered the game in the top half of the seventh inning. He pitched two complete innings, allowing just one run in the top of the eighth inning. Divosevic earned his second win of the season.
The Rock returns to action Friday as they host Seton Hill (28-4) at Jack Critchfield Park to begin a four-game home and away series.
“Seton Hill is a tough team and a good test for us,” Messer said. “A solid effort from our pitching staff is needed, because we are facing the best team in the PSAC West and quite possibly, the best team in the entire state. Our guys are really looking forward to the matchup and we should be healthy and ready to go.”
