RAMS DROP PAIR TO SEVENTH-RANKED SLIPPERY ROCK

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Shepherd University dropped a pair of games to Slippery Rock in baseball action at Jack Critchfield Park on Wednesday. The Rock, ranked seventh in the latest Collegiate Baseball Division II Poll, earned a 3-0 win in game one and edged the Rams, 2-1, in the nightcap.

Chase Rowe smacked a two-run single to key a three-run third inning for Slippery Rock in game one. Rowe was 2-for-3 for the game. Matt Koscusko doubled for the game's only extra base hit.

Freshman first baseman Dirk Webb (Hedgesville, WV/Hedgesville HS), junior shortstop Ryan Brady (McSherrystown, PA/Delone Catholic HS/Hagerstown CC), junior catcher David Toth (Lexington, KY/Lexington Christian Academy/Potomac State), freshman second baseman Josh Bowers (Williamsport, MD/Williamsport HS), and junior outfielder Collin Brown (Durham, NC/Southern Durham HS/NC State) all singled for the Rams.

Derek Blyzwick went the distance to gain the win for The Rock. Ram starter Steve Kozak (Harpers Ferry, WV/Jefferson HS), who fanned four in 4 1/3 innings, took the loss. Sophomore reliever Todd Coder (Woodbridge, VA/Woodbridge HS) pitched hitless ball over the final 1 2/3 innings with four strikeouts to his credit.

Slippery Rock scored a pair of runs in the third inning in the nightcap and held on for the win. Matt Messer singled home Ty Wilson and later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Matt Kozusko.

Shepherd's run came in the fifth when freshman outfielder Jerry Jubb (Arnold, MD/Broadneck, MD) singled, stole second, and scored on a single by junior third baseman Nicky Brown (Hedgesville, WV/Hedgesville HS/ Potomac State). Nicky Brown led the Rams with a 2-for-4 outing. Brady, Toth, and Bowers each added hits for the Rams.

Slippery Rock starter Jeremy Becker gained the win with reliever Dan Herisko picking up the save. Sophomore pitcher Travis Mumaw (Edinburg, VA/Central HS/Potomac State) suffered the loss for the Rams.

Shepherd drops to 12-8, while Slippery Rock improves to 18-2. The Rams are scheduled to return to action on Saturday when they travel to West Liberty for a 1:00 p.m. conference doubleheader.

Game One

Shepherd 000 000 0 0 5 2

Slippery Rock 003 000 X 3 7 1

Blyzwick and B. Wilson; Kozak, Coder (5) and Toth.

HR: None

WP: Blyzwick (2-1)

LP: Kozak (0-2)

Game Two

Shepherd 000 000 0 1 6 0

Slippery Rock 003 000 X 2 4 1

Becker, Rape (6), Herisko (7) and B. Wilson; Mumaw and Noll, Martin (6).

HR: None

WP: Becker (2-0)

LP: Mumaw (1-1)

SV: Herisko (5)