Galcik staying close to home
SLIPPERY ROCK — After helping Slippery Rock High School’s baseball team reach the District 10 championship game last spring, Brett Galcik wanted to keep playing for a winner.
He didn’t have to stray far to find one.
The Rockets’ senior third baseman recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and baseball career at Slippery Rock University. He plans to major in safety management.
Galcik also considered Penn State Behrend before deciding on The Rock.
“I love the system and the program there,” Galcik said of SRU. “You can’t beat the coaching staff there. It’s one of the best in the country.”
Jeff Messer is entering his 38th year as SRU head baseball coach this spring. He is the all-time winningest coach in the PSAC, sporting a 1,072-694-5 record and a career .607 winning percentage. He has won seven PSAC championships.
The Rock finished 33-18 last season, qualifying for the PSAC Tournament and the NCAA Division II tourney.
“All I want to do is help the program win another championship,” Galcik said.
Galcik is the No. 4 hitter in the Slippery Rock High School lineup. He hit over .400 last year with 36 hits, nine home runs and approximately 50 RBI. He plays summer baseball with the NBA Warriors, coached by Tom Matthews.
“Brett is a really good athlete and an instinctive ballplayer,” Matthews said. “That kid is 100% baseball. He absolutely loves the game and is constantly working to get better.”
Before joining The Rock, Galcik has his senior high school season to look forward to.
“I want to match my numbers from last year, if not exceed them,” Galcik said. “Losing in the District 10 championship game last year was tough. We want to get back there and win it this time.”
Matthews attributed Galcik’s production as a hitter to “natural talent and the ability to generate bat speed.
“No doubt, Brett can play in the PSAC. As good a baseball conference as that is, his talents are in that league. He plays hard and I know he’s going to get on the field at SRU rather quickly once he’s there.”
And when Galcik takes the field at Critchfield Park, it won’t be the first time.
“Our high school team has played a lot of games there,” he said. “And I love playing on turf. The baseball facilities there are top-notch and I don’t have to leave home to play there. All of those things played a factor in my decision.”
Four former high school players from Butler County are on the SRU pitching staff: Seneca Valley graduates Nate Malak (freshman) and Ethan Edkins (sophomore), Moniteau graduate Branson Carson (freshman) and Slippery Rock High graduate Ian Balquist (junior).
