SLIPPERY ROCK — The playoff scenario was simple for the Slippery Rock University baseball team as it trotted onto the field Saturday for its doubleheader against Gannon.

Win one or the season is done.

The Rock held a 2-1 edge and was six outs away from clinching the PSAC playoff spot in Game 1 at Jack Critchfield Park, but the Golden Knights erupted for a five-run sixth inning and pushed SRU to the brink of elimination with a 6-3 victory.

“It was not a good feeling,” said Slippery Rock coach Jeff Messer.

Tied 1-1 in the fifth frame of Game 2 with the bases loaded and one out, Austin Benshadle lifted a lazy fly to shallow right field. John Shaffer retreated to third base and looked to his coach.

“We just didn’t have a lot of offensive opportunities,” said Messer. “That was a chance and they still had to catch, throw and tag.

“He said to me, ‘Do I go?’ ... I said, ‘Damn right.’”

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Shaffer rumbled down the third-base line, dodged the tag from Gannon catcher Nico Baldelli about 10 feet from home, slid and slapped his hand on the plate.

Right-hander Jon Anderson took care of the rest with a brilliant performance from the bullpen to secure a 3-1 victory and send SRU to the playoffs.

Anderson — a redshirt freshman and Grove City graduate — allowed just one hit in 3 2-3 innings of work to pick up the win.

Mike Dunn started Game 2, but was lifted after a one-out single in the fourth.

“It worked out well,” said Messer. “Our plan was to go with Dunn, who’s a soft thrower, for a few innings. ... Then come with Anderson, our redshirt freshman who throws a little bit harder, and he did a great job.”

Anderson’s first pitch of the game resulted in a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.

“I felt confident and my arm felt good. I knew going in to throw strikes and keep the ball low and I’d do fine,” said Anderson. “That (double play) really helped.”

While SRU (31-19, 13-11) was fighting to keep its season alive, Gannon (23-17, 15-9) needed to win Game 2 to claim the PSAC West title outright. The Knights ended up in a three-way tie with California (Pa.) and Mercyhurst.

“Our pitchers definitely gave us a chance to win that second game,” said Gannon coach Nate Cocolin. “We had opportunities and we just didn’t come through with the big hit. That’s baseball.”

Cocolin briefly spoke with the umpire after Shaffer narrowly avoided the tag from Baldelli to plate the game-winning run.

“I didn’t know if our guy tagged him or not. I just wanted to know what the umpire saw,” said Cocolin. “I don’t feel like he left the baseline. If he did, he had to because our catcher was coming down the line.”

Messer admitted it was a risk to send Shaffer, but the reward was worth it.

“He’s not the fastest guy in the world,” said Messer with a chuckle. “Even our bench was like, ‘Are you kidding me? ... Shaffer?’

“I think we actually took them by surprise. It was lucky and it paid off.”

The Rock added its third run after reliever Jeff Jones walked back-to-back hitters to push home Kevin Jovanovich.

David Spaeder took the loss for Gannon. He was lifted for Jones after three straight one-out singles from Shaffer, Jovanovich and Brandon Myers.

Matt Tobin hurled a complete game for the Knights in Gannon’s Game 1 victory, while Kyle Schneider shouldered the defeat for SRU.

Gannon’s Jeff Bellanca was a thorn in Slippery Rock’s side throughout. He went 5-for-8 on the day, including a 3-for-4 performance with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in Game 1.

Although Cocolin would have preferred to finish the sweep and take the division title, he enjoyed his team’s effort and the Knights will be the West No. 2 seed in the playoffs, which start Wednesday at Point Stadium in Johnstown.

“Our league is so good and so tough that just making the tournament is a big deal,” said the Gannon coach. “I’m definitely proud of our team.”

Now that SRU has survived — edging Indiana (Pa.) with a head-to-head tiebreaker for the fourth and final Western spot — Messer hopes his team can do some damage. The Rock will take on East Division champion Millersville at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the four-day, double-elimination tournament.

The experience of Saturday’s pressure-packed twinbill could prove valuable in the postseason.

“It was a playoff setting. I think it helped us going into the tournament,” said Messer. “They know the teams we’ve played in the East and the West — we’ve played a lot of them — and we’re just as good as any of them.

“Now, it’s just a matter of playing your best baseball.”

Game 1

Gannon 001 005 0 — 6 12 2

Slippery Rock 200 000 1 — 3 7 0

W: Matt Tobin 7 IP (3K, 3BB). L: Kyle Schneider 7 IP (4K, 1BB).

Gannon: Jared Wiesen 1B, R, SB; Jeff Bellanca 2B, 2-1B, R, 2-RBI; Taylor Anderson 1B; Michael Tomko 1B, R, RBI; Nico Baldelli 2-1B, R; Aaron Cox 2B, 1B, R, RBI, SB; Shayne Herold 1B, RBI; Dylan Schwegler 1B, R, RBI

Slippery Rock: Will Kengor 2-1B, R; Graeme Zaparynski 2B, SB; John Shaffer 1B, R, RBI; Austin Benshadle 1B; Jake Nogalo 1B, RBI; Brandon Myers 2B

Game 2

Gannon 100 000 0 — 1 5 1

Slippery Rock 010 020 x — 3 5 0

W: Jon Anderson 3 2-3 IP (3K, 2BB). L: David Spaeder 4 1-3 IP (4K, 2BB).

Gannon: Jared Wiesen 1B; Jeff Bellanca 2-1B, R; Taylor Anderson 2B; Aaron Cox RBI; Bob Roach 1B

Slippery Rock: Will Kengor RBI; Graeme Zaparysnki 1B; John Shaffer 1B, R; Kevin Jovanovich 1B, R; Brandon Myers 1B; Austin Benshadle 1B, R, RBI; Jake Weibley RBI

Wednesday: Slippery Rock vs. Millersville, first round of PSAC Tournament at Point Stadium, Johnstown