Box Score

DINWIDDIE, Va. - Alex Pantuso threw five shutout innings and Slippery Rock scored three runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to post a 9-4 win over East Stroudsburg University in non-conference baseball on Friday afternoon in Virginia.

Pantuso walked four, struck out seven and didn't allow a hit before ESU (2-3) scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to tie the game at 3-3.

SRU (1-0) scored three runs, all with two outs, in the eighth and added to its lead in the ninth. ESU scored one in the bottom half to set the final margin.

Senior OF Ian Allen had two of ESU's six hits, including a double, to lead the Warriors offensively. ESU coaxed seven walks and five Warriors reached base twice.

Three pitchers relieved Pantuso for SRU, with ESU getting two runs off Jay Cortese in the sixth. Chris Anastas (1.0 IP, 1 run) got the win as the pitcher of record, and Wyatt Daugherty (2.0 IP, unearned run) notched the save.

Slippery Rock had 17 hits with Christian Porterfield going 4-for-6 with two RBI in the No. 5 spot and leadoff hitter James Divosevic going 3-for-5 with a triple, walk, two RBI and three runs. Catcher Tyler Walters, a preseason All-Region selection, was 1-for-4 with two walks, an RBI and two runs.

After the Warriors trailed 3-0 through five, redshirt senior 2B Jay Young led off the sixth with a walk, redshirt senior 1B Conner Crookham was hit by a pitch with one out, Young stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by redshirt senior DH Dylan Tamecki. Junior C Steven Zimmerman, Jr. belted a two-out triple to score Crookham.

ESU leveled it in the seventh with another two-out run. Freshman SS Joey Poalini drew one of his two walks, Young singled and Allen followed with an RBI single to make it 3-3.

In the top of the eighth, SRU scored three runs on three hits, two walks and an error, all with two outs, to lead 6-3. Two hits and two walks led to three more runs in the ninth.

Freshman OF Carson Freeman singled, Allen doubled and Crookham had an RBI single for ESU's run in the bottom of the ninth.

Redshirt junior left-hander Mike Pepio (4.2 IP, 3 runs, 10 hits, 1 strikeout, 1 walk) made his second appearance and first career start on the mound for ESU. Four Warriors pitched in relief with redshirt senior Ben Stine going 3.0 innings (3 runs, 1 earned).

The Warriors face Philadelphia University in a doubleheader (both seven-inning games) on Saturday, and finish the weekend vs. 2016 NCAA DII Tournament participant Shepherd on Sunday.