SLIPPERY ROCK - Jeff Messer expects to see crooked numbers on the Critchfield Park scoreboard.

But the Slippery Rock University baseball coach doesn't expect to see them next to the word "visitor".

That's what Messer saw Tuesday against Shippensburg University, the No. 3 ranked Division II baseball team in the country.

Messer could only watch as the Red Raiders collect 29 hits and 21 runs in a 12-1 and 9-6 doubleheader sweep of The Rock.

"In the first game, after they put up seven runs in the top of the second, we were in damage control," Messer said. "We were going up against (Lee) McClintock, who I think is their best pitcher. Were we going to score eight runs against him? No way."

SRU (20-12, 4-4 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) did have chances to score runs in the opener, but stranded 10 runners on base and left the bases loaded twice.

The same was true in the second game as The Rock took a 5-0 lead in the second inning and had chances to pad it but failed with runners in scoring position.

That left the door open for Shippensburg (29-4, 7-1), which rallied for five runs in the top of the fourth to pull even on the way to the victory.

"We had a lot of opportunities, but we didn't take advantage of them," Messer said. "Some of our guys are pressing. They are muscling up on the ball and trying to jerk everything. We need to get the middle of our lineup going. Those guys have left a lot of men on base. A lot."

Shippensburg coach Bruce Peddie was downright giddy coming away with two wins at Critchfield Park after splitting a two-game series Sunday at Ship.

"I told the guys this may be the best doubleheader we've had since I've been at Shippensburg," Peddie said. "It's not easy coming here and winning, and we took two from them.

"We finally got the bats going."

That's something The Rock sorely needs to do as well.

Messer said part of the problem is the expectations some of his hitters are placing on themselves.

"No doubt," Messer said. "I think right now we're trying too hard. We had so much success last year, getting to the World Series, that I think our guys are trying so hard to do the same."

SRU did manage nine hits in the first game and 10 in the nightcap. Ben Marzullo enjoyed a solid afternoon, going 1-for-2 with a run scored in the first game. He hit a three-run homer in the second game.

Pitching, though, has suddenly become another concern for Messer.

John Katich surrendered seven runs on seven hits in only two innings of work in the first game and Jeremy Becker gave up five runs in 3

innings in the second game.

Both pitchers were the victims of big innings by Shippensburg.

Nick Armstrong also struggled in relief of Becker, giving up four runs on five hits in 3

innings.

But Messer isn't in panic mode yet, despite the negatives that are popping up.

"The offense, pitching and our defense to some degree - it's not physical," Messer said. "We're either sky high or rock bottom.

"If we are as good as we think we are, when we get a 5-0 lead, we have to keep that lead. We have to keep scoring runs. Hopefully, we can get back to playing good baseball," he added.

The Rock won't have time to wait. SRU hosts California (Pa.) University in a doubleheader Thursday. Cal is 7-1 in the PSAC.