SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University will host an April 27 reception at PNC Park in Pittsburgh as part of a scholarship campaign to benefit The Rock baseball program, Bill Richter, SRU athletic development director announced Tuesday.

The reception is in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates' 7:05 p.m. home game against the defending world champion San Francisco Giants.

Tickets are $20 and include admission to the Pirates Cove section (second level, right field area) of PNC Park as well as a $10 credit at PNC concession stands, Richter said.

The reception is part of a campaign designed to generate $25,000 in additional money for baseball scholarships, which Richter pointed out would double the amount of money currently available for use by Jeff Messer, veteran Rock head coach.

“We truly appreciate the efforts of Bill Richter and (Director of Athletics) Paul Lueken to set up the reception at PNC Park and provide support to our program,” said Messer. “We look forward to getting together again with former Rock players and Rock fans.”

“The reception at PNC Park will be a great way for Rock Baseball alumni and fans to get together and show their support for Coach Messer and Rock Baseball,” Richter said. “We are excited to launch this campaign and help recognize his long history of success at The Rock, which includes four trips to the Division II College World Series.”

“The reception at PNC Park will be a great event, so I look forward to that night and encourage past Rock baseball players and friends of Rock Baseball and Rock athletics in general to join us for an evening of baseball and fellowship,” Lueken added.

Former Rock baseball student athletes will soon receive an invitation to the April 27 reception, Richter said.

For further information or to RSVP for the April 27 reception at PNC Park or donate to the scholarship campaign in general, contact Richter at wrichter@srufoundation.org or 724.738.2387.