About the Warriors: ESU wrapped up the regular season 38-10 overall and 26-6 in the PSAC East as the Warriors enter as the No. 1 seed for the Eastern Division. The Warriors were ranked 25th in the most recent edition of the NCBWA Top 25 and have been nationally ranked by various polls (ABCA, D2 Baseball Insider, The Perfect Game) for a majority of the season. From February 19 to April 9, ESU won a program-record 25 straight games and during that stretch, the Warriors went 18-0 in the PSAC East which marked a school record for consecutive conference wins.
ESU ranks in the top-five of numerous major statistical categories including second in walks (229), batting average (0.315), fielding percentage (0.973), on-base percentage (0.423), runs (335) and runs per game (7.0), third in ERA (3.60), hits (436) and WHIP (1.25) as well as fourth in slugging percentage (0.457). Nationally, the Warriors are second in shutouts (11), fifth in ERA and WHIP as well as
The Warriors had six players named to today’s all-conference teams with Brent Francisco highlighting the awards as the redshirt senior was tabbed as the PSAC East Pitcher of the Year while joining junior Jack Rothenhausler (3B), sophomore Shanley Wall (OF) and Caden Parker (RP) on the All-PSAC East First Team. Sophomore Ryan Dewees (SP) and redshirt junior Cameron Hubbard (DH) were selected to the All-PSAC East Second Team.
Making Program History: ESU captured the PSAC East regular season title for first time in program history as the Warriors most recently finished atop the standings back in 1985 when they played in the North Division. ESU is approaching its single season win record of 41 (41-20) set in 2022 and the 26 PSAC East victories are the most in school history by eight as the Warriors went 18-10 back in 2016.
The Coach: John Kochmanksy, who was named the PSAC East Coach of the Year for the second time in his career today, looks to guide ESU to its first PSAC title since 2013. Kochmansky and the Warriors are approaching the single season win record of 41 (41-20) set in 2022 and the 26 PSAC East victories this year were the most in program history. Kochmansky has coached the Warriors to a 484-302-5 record in his 17th year and is inline to return to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the third straight season.
About The Rock: Slippery Rock finished the 2024 regular season with an overall record of 28-17 and a 16-10 mark inside the Western Division to earn the No. 4 seed as The Rock is making its second trip to the conference tournament in the last three seasons. Gage Gillott was tabbed as the PSAC West Pitcher of the Year and named to the All-PSAC West First Team alongside first baseman Joey Purcell and second baseman Koby Bubash. Additionally, Gillott was honored on the All-PSAC West Second Team as an outfielder, joining catcher Robby Barrientos.
As a team, Slippery Rock leads the PSAC and ranks third in NCAA Division II with an ERA of 3.26.
PSAC Tournament History: ESU seeks their sixth PSAC title in program history and first since 2013 as the Warriors enter as the top seed in the East. The Warriors are making their 13th appearance all-time in the conference tournament and 10th under Kochmansky as holds an all-time record of 17-19.
ESU and Slippery Rock meet for the fourth time in the PSAC Tournament as the Warriors won two of the previous three meetings (2015 – 13-4, 2022 – 4-2).
Up Next: The ESU-Slippery Rock winner advances to the double elimination portion of the PSAC Tournament against PSAC No. 2 West IUP or No. 3 PSAC East Millersville on Thursday at 10 a.m.
