SLIPPERY ROCK — Closing in on 1,000 career wins, Slippery Rock University baseball coach Jeff Messer loves the potential timing of that milestone this season.

“It would take a fantastic year for (1,000) to happen this season, but I'm not ruling out the possibility,” the coach said. “If it happens, it would probably come sometime in the NCAA regionals.

“That'd be a pretty good time to do it.”

Messer, 59, will enter his 33rd season at the helm of The Rock when SRU travels to North Carolina to face Shippensburg in the season opener Friday.

His career record — all at SRU — is 964-614-5. Messer is the sixth winningest active coach in NCAA baseball and is 18th on the all-time list.

SRU is coming off a 27-20 season in 2017.

“If anything, I've been rejuvenated after what happened two years ago, when we posted our worst record ever (13-36),” Messer said. “I'm as passionate about coaching as ever. I love the competition.

“Someday, I'll wake up and realize that's it. I'm done. But that day hasn't come yet.”

The Rock is picked to finish third in the PSAC West by the preseason coaches poll, behind Mercyhurst and Seton Hill.

“Mercyhurst has great pitching and Seton Hill won the state last year,” Messer said. “But I feel like we're right there with those two teams.”

SRU's No. 1 starting pitcher is major league draft prospect Alex Pantuso, a Baldwin product who was 5-2 with a 3.71 earned run average, 85 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched last spring.

Grove City High graduate Matt Gordon is the No. 2 starter, coming off a 6-2 season with 50 strikeouts and 15 walks in 59 innings.

“They are two totally different types of pitchers,” Messer said. “Pantuso throws hard, about 95 miles per hour, while Gordon is a finesse guy. He throws strikes, but he'll get hit. We have to make the plays behind him.”

Ryan Tapp, a 6-foot-8 right-hander and a transfer from UNC-Asheville, is another big league draft prospect and The Rock's No. 3 starter. Chris Anastas won the battle for the No. 4 starting spot.

Butler graduate Wyatt Daugherty, a junior, returns as the closer. He was 2-2 with four saves, a 3.34 ERA, 36 strikeouts and 11 walks in 32 innings pitched last year.

“Wyatt is sneaky fast with a deceiving motion,” Messer said. “He was strong for us last year and I think he'll be even better this year.

“If his arm holds up like it usually does, he'll pitch late in most of our games this year.”

Moniteau graduate Derek Boben, a red-shirt freshman, has worked his way into the bullpen mix this season.

“We've gone live with practice all week and Derek's had a spike in velocity,” Messer said. “I like what I'm seeing from him. He's a competitor. He could be one of the set-up guys for Wyatt.”

The Rock hit .313 as a team last year and brings back the bulk of that hitting. Christian Porterfield (.364, 9 HR and 45 RBI) will share catching duties with Tyler Walters (.319, 11-59). Walters, who will also play first base, is another major league draft prospect.

“Those two guys will get in the lineup all the time,” Messer said.

A third catcher, Seneca Valley graduate and Rock freshman Michael Collins, may see some time as a pinch-hitter and occasional DH.

“He doesn't swing the bat like a freshman,” Messer said.

Mitchell Wood (.297) is at second base, Joe Campagna (.291, 7-27) at shortstop and Matt Mandes (.247) is at third. Mandes is being pushed by freshman Abraham Mow, an all-state player from Delaware.

Ray Scala, a junior from New Castle who will be playing for the Butler BlueSox this summer, is the top reserve infielder.

The outfield, left to right, consists of Luca Fuscardo (.391), Kyle Wise (.303) and Frankie Jezioro (.254).

“All three of those guys are center fielders, actually,” Messer said. “They're all very good defensively.

“We're definitely a veteran team and we'll be tested down south with a tough early schedule against some top teams.

“I'd like to see us make a run at it (PSAC West) this year. I know we're capable,” Messer added.