SLIPPERY ROCK The game ended early. Slippery Rock did its damage early as well.

The Rockets scored four runs in the first inning and held off South Range (Ohio), 5-2, Saturday night at Critchfield Park to post their first victory of the varsity baseball season.

After South Range was retired in the top of the fifth inning, the umpires headed for the parking lot as the game was played in cold temperatures and chilly winds.

Josh Weitzel hit a two-run double with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning. Two more Slippery Rock runs crossed the plate in the frame when a ground ball was booted in the infield.

The Rockets extended their lead to 5-0 in the second as John Sinclair walked, stole second and scored on Matt Corner's single.

South Range, limited to three hits, scored both of its runs in the third inning. Dom Neely pitched the first three innings for Slippery Rock (1-4) and got the win

Jack McDonald struck out eight in four innings for the Raiders (2-6), but also walked six batters.

Corner had two singles to key a five-hit Rocket attack.

South Range 002 00x x 2 3 2Slippery Rock 410 0xx x 5 5 2W: Dom Neely (3 IP) 2 K, 0 BB.

L: Jack McDonald (4 IP) 8 K, 6 BB.

South Range (2-6): Vince Miller 2B, Andy Lacefield 1B, Gerrad Rohan 1B

Slippery Rock (1-4): Sam Furrh 1B, Matt Corner 2-1B RBI, Zach Smith 1B, Josh Weitzel 2B 2-RBI

Today: Erie East at Slippery Rock