SLIPPERY ROCK —Andrew Morris had a rough second inning in Slippery Rock's season-opening Prospect League game against North Coast (Ohio) Friday.

Just as he settled down, his offense rose up.

After trailing 2-0, the Sliders tied the game in the home half of the second, then scored nine more runs over the next three innings — capped by a six-run fifth inning — as Slippery Rock coasted to a 13-6 victory.

The Sliders cranked out 14 hits in the game, including seven doubles.

"Not only have these guys come from successful programs, but a lot of them have been all-region," said Sliders manager Chase Rowe. "What's impressive is what they've been doing since they've been here. They've worked hard, taken extra batting practice, whatever they can."

Every hitter in the starting lineup had at least one hit while seven of the nine drove in at least one run.

"The guys hit great," said Morris. "When we score 13 runs like that, it makes it easier. But the pitching still has to be good."

Morris (Gulf Coast Community College) had fallen behind in the second inning when the Knights' Rob Monday opened with a double and, following a pair of strikeouts, River McWilliams laced an RBI single. An error two batters later plated another run.

"In the second inning, I was missing my spots pretty bad," said Morris. "I gave up a couple of hits. It was all me. Other than that, I did all right."

The Sliders answered with an RBI double by Billy Messer (Slippery Rock High and SRU) followed by a double from Jacob Petkac (Ashland [Ohio] College). Tyler Plumpton added an RBI single to knot the game at 2.

Petkac's RBI single in the third inning gave the Sliders the lead for good as Charlie Kelly (West Chester) dislodged the ball when he slid into the glove of Knights catcher Kevin Roundtree.

Slippery Rock stranded runners on second and third, but added to its lead in the fourth and fifth innings.

A two-out, two-run double by Kelly made it 5-2, then SR broke it open in the fifth inning, which saw the Knights make three errors.

Mike Devine (Virginia Military Institute) and Nick Spisak (West Chester) added RBI doubles while Shane Eyler (Mount St. Mary's) had a run-scoring single to highlight the six-run frame.

"That was amazing," said Morris. "Getting with a group of guys who have never played together before. ... We just met each other on Sunday. We came together as quick as you can."

Morris did surrender a solo homer to Kirk Singer in the fifth inning and left after six innings allowing just the three runs on three hits with nine strikeouts and three walks.

"I would have liked to see his pitch count down," said Rowe, "but he's a competitive kid. He did a good job other than falling behind 2-0 in the count."

North Coast 020 010 300 — 6 7 6Slippery Rock 021 260 20x — 13 14 3W: Andrew Morris (6 IP) 9 K, 3 BB.

L: Dave Dennemann (2Z\c IP) 1 K, 2 BB.

North Coast (0-2): Alex Sherrod 1B; Kirk Singer HR, 1B; Evan Mistich 2-1B, RBI; Rob Monday 2B; River McWilliams 1B, RBI

Slippery Rock (1-0): Matt Howard 1B; Nick Spisak 2B, 2 RBI; Charlie Kelly 1B, 2-2B, 2 RBI; Shane Eyler 1B, RBI; Jacob Petkac 1B, 2B, RBI; Billy Messer 2-2B, RBI; Marcus Breedan 1B; Tyler Plumpton 1B, RBI; Mike Devine 1B, RBI; Derek Carr 1B, RBI

Saturday: Slippery Rock at Butler, 6:35 p.m.

Sunday: Butler at Slippery Rock, 2:05 p.m.

Monday: Slippery Rock at Butler, 6;35 p.m.