SLIPPERY ROCK — The 2007 home opener began positively enough for the Slippery Rock University baseball team Tuesday at Critchfield Park.

SRU pitcher Chris Squeglia picked a runner off second base to escape a rough start with only one run allowed in the top of the first inning.

Slippery Rock High graduate Billy Messer drilled an 0-2 pitch deep to left for a two-out, three-run double in the bottom of the first, capping a five-run frame.

From there, it was all Shepherd.

The Rams collected 20 hits in the first five innings and cruised to a 14-6 win over SRUin the first game of a doubleheader.

"From the second inning on, they outplayed us in every phase of the game,"Rock manager Jeff Messer said.

SRU(12-5) rebounded to win the nightcap, 8-1, behind a strong mound effort by Mark Tanner. That victory snapped a five-game Shepherd winning streak.

But the first game was all Rams.

"Give up 20 hits, you're just not gonna win the game,"Messer said.

Shepherd (6-8) scored 66 runs during its five-game streak before Tanner and Vince Lloyd combined on a three-hitter in Game 2.

"We weren't that upset about falling behind in the first inning,"Shepherd manager Wayne Riser said of the first game. "The way we've been hitting the ball, we felt comfortable with six innings left to play."

Leadoff hitter Chris Wilkins led the Rams' attack in Game 1 with a homer, double, two singles and six RBI — all in the first four innings.

Every player in Shepherd's lineup collected at least one hit. All but center fielder Justin Dailey scored at least one run.

While SRUwas picked to contend for the PSACWest title this spring, Shepherd was picked by WVIACcoaches to repeat as that conference's champion.

Rock pitcher Chris Squeglia entered the first game with a 1.38 earned run average over his first three appearances, but did not get out of the third inning Tuesday. He surrendered 12 hits.

Squeglia threw 68 pitches, 50 for strikes.

"Chris just wasn't spotting his pitches well,"Messer said. "When we got the early lead, you want your pitcher to throw strikes, but they were down the heart of the plate."

M.J. Parsons hit a pair of doubles and had two RBIfor The Rock in the nightcap. Matt Adams drilled a solo home run, only SRU's fifth homer so far this year.

Notes:Today's 3 p.m. game, originally scheduled for Duquesne, was moved to Critchfield Park. ... Grove City product and SRUthird baseman Billy Herman left the first game with a shoulder injury, but returned to play the second game. ... Karns City graduate Travis Trimbur started Game 1 in right field and reached base three times, including a single and run scored. ... Phil Butch is 10-for-10 in stolen bases so far this season. ... Messer said Derek Blyzwick and Rich Hocanson will start on the mound against fellow PSACWest contender California (Pa.)Friday at Critchfield Park. Squeglia and Tanner will start Saturday's twinbill at Falconi Field.

First GameShepherd 124 610 0—14 20 1Slippery Rock 501 000 0—6 9 3WP: Cameron Shifler (5 IP) 1 strikeout, 1 walk.

LP: Chris Squeglia (2X\c IP) 0 strikeouts, 0 walks

Shepherd: Chris Wilkins HR 2B 2-1B6-RBI2-R, Justin Dailey 1B, Dirk Webb 2-1BRBI, John Hawse 2-2B, Andrew McCormick 1B, Josh Wenderoth 2B 2-1B RBI3-R, Tyler Walburn 2-1B 2-RBI 2-R, Brett Caplan 2-1B 2-RBI, Joey Hayes 2B 2-1B 2-RBI 2-R

SRU: Phil Butch 2-1B SB, Billy Herman 2-1B, Matt Adams 2B 2-RBI, Dan Hudeck 2B, Travis Trimbur 1B, Billy Messer 2B 3-RBI, Rich Michalek 1B

Second GameShepherd 100 000 0—1 3 1Slippery Rock 006 020 x—8 8 0WP: Mark Tanner (5 IP) 1 strikeout, 1 walk.

LP: Kyle Shifflette (22/3 IP) 1 strikeout, 3 walks

Shepherd (6-8): Chris Wilkins 1B, Dirk Webb 1B, John Hawse RBI, Josh Wenderoth 1B

SRU(12-5): Phil Butch 1B, Matt Adams HR, Billy Herman RBI, M.J. Parsons 2-2B 2-RBI, Jim Eimiller 3B RBI, Kyle Smith 1B RBI, Rich Michalek 2-1B, Jacob Oswalt RBI

Today: Duquesne atSRU, 3 p.m.