SLIPPERY ROCK Jeff Messer's 750th career win was a necessary one.

Needing a win to remain a game up in the loss column for the final PSAC West playoff berth, Slippery Rock University salvaged the second game of a doubleheader Saturday at Critchfield Park by outslugging Mercyhurst, 13-9.

The victory improved Messer's career coaching record at SRU to 750-428-4 in 24 seasons. He began this season ranked 12th among active NCAA Division II coaches.

The Rock (26-12, 12-8) dropped the first game Saturday, 9-6, and was in danger of getting swept by the Lakers (24-13, 11-5) in the four-game weekend series.

"I don't know if we could have afforded to lose this game ... especially after that first game and yesterday," Messer admitted.

The Rock lost the first game Friday at Mercyhurst on a pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning, then suffered a 6-0 loss in the nightcap.

SRU and Mercyhurst were tied at 3 through five innings of Saturday's first game before the Lakers touched up reliever Rich Hocanson for six runs in the top of the sixth.

Matt Kosik drilled a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth, prompting Mercyhurst coach Joe Spano to summon Seneca Valley graduate Eric Aschley to the mound.

Two singles and an error loaded the bases and Aschley walked Matt Adams to force in a run. The lead was cut to 9-6 and The Rock had No. 4 batter Adam Jury at the plate with the bases loaded and one out.

Spano made another trip to the mound at that point.

"I went out to talk to Eric, but not to take him out," he said. "I wanted to make sure he was physically OK. I have all the confidence in the world in his stuff and his abilities."

Aschley, a freshman, made that confidence pay off. He induced Jury to ground to third for an inning-ending double play.

"That was the key play in that game," Messer said. "If the ball isn't hit there, or if we get the call from the umpire at first base, that might have been a different game."

Jury was called out on a close play at first.

Aschley retired The Rock in order in the seventh, striking out two, to earn a save for starting pitcher John Mang.

SRU accumulated all 15 of its hits in the first four innings of the second game, building a 12-4 lead in the process. Mercyhurst used five pitchers in the nightcap.

Vince Lloyd threw 129 pitches in six innings to get the victory, improving his record to 6-1.

"Vince seems to get better after he hits 100 pitches," Messer said, shaking his head. He can be his worst enemy. Sometimes he beats himself."

Taking a 3-0 lead into the second inning, Lloyd gave up four runs on one hit. Two walks, an infield error and a hit batsman were followed by Jon Dziomba's three-run double.

The Rock used a four-spot of its own in the third to regain the lead for good. Derek Diruscia had a two-run double and Rich Michalek a two-run triple in the frame.

Michalek, Grove City High graduate Billy Herman, Matt Adams, Jury, Slippery Rock High graduate Billy Messer, Kosik and Diruscia all had two hits in the second game.

Jury and Diruscia scored three runs each while Michalek had three RBI.

The Rock sits in third place in the PSAC West with a 12-8 record. Clarion and Lock Haven are tied for fourth at 6-8. SRU does not play a league game this week and closes PSAC West play with a four-game weekend series against Clarion April 24-25.

"The key is to just get into the tournament," Messer said. "Everybody is balanced this year. Every team will take a couple of pitchers into the tournament who can beat you.

"Whoever plays the best baseball will win it."

SRU hosts Ohio Valley College Tuesday and plays Shepherd Wednesday before hosting Lake Erie College for twinbills Saturday and Sunday.