Slippery Rock University's baseball team achieved a doubleheader sweep over Pitt-Johnstown in their PSAC Western Division opener. They won the first game 1-0, powered by Nate Malak's complete game shutout, and followed with a 6-3 victory in the second game. This success improves Slippery Rock's record to 11-6 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Mountain Cats drop to 7-11 overall and 0-2 in the league. Coach Jeff Messer celebrated his 1,134th career win, tying for ninth on the Division II all-time list. Slippery Rock's strong performance is marked by a recent streak of six wins in seven games.

By the Numbers
  • Nate Malak has struck out a team-high 33 batters this season.
  • Slippery Rock's record improves to 11-6, with 6 wins in their last 7 games.
  • Clay Wiesen, Brandon Butler, and Michael Kitko collectively produced 9 hits, including 5 RBIs in the doubleheader.
State of Play
  • Slippery Rock's pitching was dominant, with Malak allowing only 1 run across both games.
  • A trio of players (Wiesen, Butler, Kitko) consistently contributed to the offense with multiple hits and runs.
What's Next

Slippery Rock will look to continue their winning momentum in the series finale against Pitt-Johnstown. The next doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday at Point Stadium in Johnstown, with the first game set for 1 p.m. Continued strong pitching and batting could secure further conference victories.

Bottom Line

Slippery Rock's strong start in conference play, led by solid pitching and collective offensive efforts, showcases their potential for a successful season. Maintaining focus and teamwork will be critical as they head into the next games.