Game 1 boxscore

Game 2 boxscore

WILSON, N.C. -- Junior righthander George Hebert came within one pitch of tossing a six-inning, no-hit shutout Saturday afternoon to lead the Slippery Rock University baseball team to a 5-1 win over Tiffin the first game of a season-opening doubleheader at historic Fleming Stadium.

The only Tiffin run came on a one-out solo home run in the top of the sixth inning. That was the only hit allowed by either Hebert in six innings or senior righty Don Pugliese in one inning of relief work.

Tiffin erased a 3-1 Rock lead to claim a 6-3 win in nine innings in Satrday's second game.

The Rock and Dragons will close out their four-game weekend series Sunday with an 11 a.m. twinbill at Fleming Stadium.

The Rock collected nine hits in each game Saturday while Tiffin had eight hits in the second game after being held to only one in the opener.

Leading The Rock offensive attack was senior second baseman Billy Messer, who had five hits, including a double,  in seven at bats and picked up on RBI. Three Rock players were 3-for-7 on the day: junior catcher Derek DiRuscia, sophomore left fielder Carter Haponski and sophomore right fielder Matt Kosik.

One of DiRuscia's hits was a double, Haponski collected two RBIs and Kosik had a double, a two-run home run in the second game, scored three runs and picked up three RBIs.

Hebert picked up the pitching win in Game 1, while senior righthander Justin Thomas was tagged with the loss in Game 2.

Hebert struck out four and walked one in his six-inning mound appearance in Game 1, while Pugliese struck out one in his only inning of work.

Game 2 starting pitcher Joby Lapkowicz, a freshman southpaw, allowed one earned run on three hits, struck out six and walked four in four innings. He walked three batters in the top of the first inning but worked out the jam without giving up a run.

Senior righty Mike Ritson relieved Lapkowicz and inherited a 3-1 lead, but then allowed two earned runs on two hits, struck out one and walked three in two innings before Justin Thomas allowed three earned runs on three hits, including a bases-loaded double, and walked one in two innings.

Sophomore southpaw John Thomas relieved Justin Thomas (no relation) and struck out two in the final inning.

The Rock held a 4-0 lead before Tiffin got its only run in Game 1. The Dragons took a 1-0 lead in Game 2 before SRU scored three unanswered runs. Tiffin then scored five unanswered runs to claim the win.