HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Alex Pantuso struck out eight and allowed one unearned run in five innings Friday, but the Slippery Rock University baseball team dropped a 2-0 decision to Shippensburg in its baseball season opener.

Shawn Holman worked the final three innings and was charged with one run for The Rock.

SRU managed only two hits on the day — singles by Tyler Merigliano and Mitchell Wood — and went 0-for-12 with runners on base. Christian Porterfield drew a pair of wtalks.

The Rock returns to action Saturday with a doubleheader against West Liberty (W.Va.) in North Carolina.