SLIPPERY ROCK — With six .300 hitters returning to the lineup, Slippery Rock University’s baseball team will collect plenty of runs this spring.

But can The Rock prevent the opposition from doing the same?

“We won 30 games last year with a team earned run average of just under seven and a shaky defense,” SRU coach Jeff Messer said. “Needless to say, we went to work on that in the off-season.”

SRU opens the season this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders in North Carolina. The Rock faces Belmont Abbey Saturday and Wingate on Sunday.

Alex Pantuso, a 6-foot-5 sophomore from Baldwin, is The Rock’s No. 1 starter on the mound this year. Grove City High graduate Jon Anderson is the No. 2 starter, followed by any combination of Steve McKee, Preston Falascino, Grove City High graduate Matt Gordon (transfer from Binghamton) and freshman Jay Cortese from Vincentian.

“We have 19 games before our conference opener to see how our pitching falls into place,” Messer said. “There are 16 pitchers on the roster, so we loaded up.

“Anderson could have a big year. He’s finally healthy after going through some injuries the past couple of seasons. We’re keeping our fingers crossed there.”

Wyatt Daugherty, a freshman from Butler, may see time in the back end of the bullpen for The Rock.

“His velocity is up from last year and he’s got a college slider right now,” Messer said. “He could make an impact for us as a true freshman.”

North Allegheny graduate James Divosevic (3-1, four saves, 3.38 ERA) returns as the team’s closer.

The six returning .300 hitters include catcher Tyler Walters (.367 13 HR), right fielder Ty Zimmerman (.348), catcher-first baseman-DH and Seneca Valley graduate Carson Kessler (.328), third baseman Falascino (.327, 9 HR), outfielder Logan Brown (.319, 10 HR) and first baseman Alex Bell (.318).

Walters is coming off shoulder surgery and will be limited behind the plate early. Brown broke his leg in the fall and will only perform pinch-hitting and DH duties early in the campaign.

“His bat’s fine. His running just isn’t there yet to play the outfield,” Messer said.

Kyle Wise will open the season in left field while Frankie Jezioro, a freshman from Peters Township, will be in center.

“Frankie turned down some Division I offers to come here,” Messer said. “He’s legit. He runs like a deer.”

Jordan Faretta (.293) will be at second base while sophomore Mitch Wood will start at shortstop. Wood will be playing for the Butler BlueSox this summer.

SRU was picked third in the PSAC West preseason coaches poll, behind Mercyhurst and Seton Hill.

“Mercyhurst is loaded. They’re picked to win the national title,” Messer said. “That’s a good thing for our conference.

“We have a good team. How good will depend on how much we’ve improved our pitching.”

Messer is entering his 31st season as Rock head coach, sporting a 924-558 career record. He is eighth in wins among active Division II coaches, 19th all-time.

Only retired Temple coach John Wilson — who won 1,034 games in 46 years — has compiled more wins than Messer among Pennsylvania collegiate baseball coaches.

SRU’s home opener is against Pitt-Johnstown at 1 p.m. March 19 at Critchfield Park.