SLIPPERY ROCK - It wasn't so easy this time.

After pounding the Slippery Rock High School baseball team 17-2 in three innings last month, Grove City had a little tougher time toppling the Rockets at Critchfield Park Monday.

The Eagles trailed 3-1 after two innings, but they recovered to put up seven runs over the next two innings to earn a 10-5 win and set themselves up for a region title.

"I was very concerned going into this game," said Grove City coach Pat Forese. "They are not a bad team."

Grove City (15-4 overall, 11-2 in the region) was coming off a doubleheader sweep of second-place Meadville on Friday. The last thing the Eagles needed was a letdown against Slippery Rock.

The Rockets, meanwhile, had nothing to lose.

"If you can't get excited about playing here under the lights against Grove City, your heart isn't beating," said Slippery Rock coach Cory Hake.

The Rockets' hearts were beating strong early.

Slippery Rock pushed a run across in the bottom of the first winning, thanks to a leadoff walk, a stolen base, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.

The Rockets scored two more in the bottom of the second inning on just two hits - RBI singles by Tom DeCola and White.

At one point, Slippery Rock had four runs on only two hits.

"We've been very economical when it comes to scoring runs lately," Hake said.

Unfortunately, when the Rockets needed a hit the most with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning, they didn't get one.

Instead, Grove City stormed back after falling behind by two runs and scored three in the top of the third and three more in the fourth.

The Eagles took advantage of three Slippery Rock errors, a RBI triple by Dan Keil and a two-run double by Brandon Jones to score the runs.

"We put up a couple of big innings and gave ourselves some breathing room," Forese said.

The runs came against Ryan Hays, who has been one of the Rockets' best pitchers after a 1-9 start.

"Ryan Hays deserved better than what he got today," Hake said. "They just hit the ball. One through nine, they can hit."

Grove City's No. 3 hitter Jesse Alfreno enjoyed a big day. The junior went 4-for-4 with a triple, three singles and three runs scored. He also stole three bases as the Eagles swiped 10 in the game.

"We just decided, especially early, to make some things happen," Forese said. "To try to manufacture some runs. We made some good base running decisions and had some delayed steals."

The Eagles also pulled off a suicide squeeze in the third inning.

Hake saw that as a compliment.

"Nowhere in my scouting report was a squeeze play in the third inning," Hake said. "We definitely played a lot better."

Bob Revesz got the start for Grove City, but was pulled after a shaky 1

innings. Andy Geibel came in and pitched another uneven two-plus innings to get the win.

"Bobby struggled out there," Forese said. "He wasn't sharp and then Andy came in."

Jim Jaskowak was just as sharp as always for the Eagles, pitching the final three innings for his fourth save of the season.

Jaskowak gave up just one run on a RBI triple by Sean Ray with two outs in the seventh inning.

"The big thing is (Jaskowak) comes in and throws strikes," Forese said. "He pitched three innings, so he gets another save. He's been doing that all season for us."

Grove City clinched at least a tie for the region title and an automatic berth into the District 10 playoffs with the win against the Rockets. The Eagles can sew up the title with a win against Commodore Perry today.

That would give the Eagles a first-round bye in the district playoffs, which begin May 26.

Grove City 103 420 0 -10 12 1Slippery Rock 121 000 1 - 5 6 3WP: Andy Geibel (2 IP) 1 strikeout, 2 walks.

LP: Ryan Hays (4 IP) 4 strikeouts, 4 walks

Grove City (15-4, 11-2): Bill Herman 1B; Jesse Alfreno 3B, 3-1B, RBI, 3-R; Dan Keil 1B, 3B, 2-RBI; Derek Maybee 2-1B, 2-RBI; Brandon Jones 2B, 2-RBI; Bob Revesz 1B; Geibel 1B

Slippery Rock (4-13, 3-11): Mark White 2-1B, RBI; Josh Cress 1B; Bill Messer RBI; Sean Ray 3B, RBI; Gary Wray 1B; Tom DeCola 1B, RBI

Today: Grove City vs. Commodore Perry

Wednesday: Meadville at Slippery Rock (DH), 4 p.m. at Critchfield Park