SLIPPERY ROCK — In the first round of the PIAA Class 4A baseball playoffs Monday evening, Slippery Rock’s lineup encountered a big obstacle — literally and figuratively.

Hopewell’s 6-foot-4 junior left-hander Joey Rock held the District 10 champions to just three hits in posting a 6-1 victory at Slippery Rock University’s Critchfield Park.

“His fastball was in the upper-80s and he had us guessing all night,” said Rocket coach Fred Pryor. “We had chances early in the game, but couldn’t get the big hit. That’s baseball.”

Though Rock entered the game with just 19 walks in 74 1/3 innings pitched this season, Slippery Rock’s batters were able to draw five free passes off of him.

Two of those came in the bottom of the first inning when Dylan Dingel was walked to begin the frame and Danny Williams jogged to first base with one out. Ricky Mineo followed with an RBI-single that gave Slippery Rock (20-3) an early lead. It was a promising start against what the Rockets knew would be a formidable challenge.

Read more in Tuesday's edition of the Butler Eagle.