FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The Slippery Rock University baseball team split a doubleheader with Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday, winning 5-2 and losing 8-6.

Scott Bender and Billy Messer had two hits each for SRU (5-4) in Game 1. M.J. Parsons homered to lead off the second inning.

Sophomore left-hander Rich Hocanson pitched The Rock's first complete game of the season, striking out eight and scattering six hits.

Pitt-Johnstown built an 8-0 lead in the second game before holding on for the win. Mark Tanner was the losing pitcher for SRU and lasted only three batters before experiencing pain in his elbow and leaving the game.

All six SRU runs were scored during the fifth inning. Freshman catcher Derek Diruscia hit a three-run homer, Billy Herman a run-scoring double and Parsons an RBIsingle.

Sophomore left fielder Jacob Oswalt had three hits for The Rock, which plays Mansfield in a nine-inning game today.