SLIPPERY ROCK — Entering his 35th season as Slippery Rock University's head coach, baseball never gets old for Jeff Messer.

Especially when his team will be playing on a new field.

Critchfield Park is being renovated into an all-artificial turf playing surface, including the mound, batter's box and bullpens.

“It's going to be hard to find a speck of dirt in the place,” Messer said.

He's hoping his team plays just as clean.

The Rock is coming off a 15-28 season overall, 5-21 in the PSAC West. The lone bright spot was Messer's 1,000th career win. He enters this spring with a 1,009-661-5 career record — good for a .604 winning percentage.

“We lost 11 or 12 games by one run last year,” Messer said. “Inexperience had a lot to do with that.

“I'm hoping that with another year's experience in some spots and the number of transfers we've brought in, we can get on the other side of those one-run decisions this year.”

SRU opens the season Saturday against West Virginia State at the Shawnee Sports Complex in Dunbar, W.Va. That was originally slated to be the debut of the new Critchfield Park, but the turf is only being laid down this week.

The Rock's first home game will now be March 11 against Kutztown.

“Once the turf is in, you have to wait eight to 10 days to play on it,” Messer said. “If the weather cooperates, we'll be good to go March 11.

“This turf will really impact our program. Over the last three years, we've been able to practice on our field maybe six times. A consistent practice schedule will help us. We won't have to look for places to play our home games anymore, either.

“Our facility will also serve as a great recruiting tool for us. We definitely plan to take advantage of that,” Messer added.

The Rock will host this year's PSAC Tournament, a first in the 18-year history of Critchfield Park. That tourney — featuring the top four teams in the league's East and West divisions — is scheduled for May 6-9.

“Since we're hosting that event, we want to be playing in it,” Messer said.

The PSAC preseason coaches poll is skeptical of that. SRU is picked to finish sixth in the West, behind Mercyhurst, Seton Hill, California, Gannon and Pitt-Johnstown.

“This is the deepest the West has been in terms of talent in a long time,” Messer said. “It's all going to come down to pitching.”

Three Butler County products are members of The Rock pitching staff. Derek Boben, a junior right-hander from Moniteau, developed into a bullpen specialist last year. He pitched 14.2 innings and left-handed hitters were 1-fot-15 against him.

Ricky Mineo, a hard-throwing sophomore right-hander from Slippery Rock, started three games a year ago, but will be used out of the bullpen this season. Colby Anderson is a freshman left-hander from Butler.

“Derek is a versatile guy who could pitch two innings in relief or be called on to get an out,” Messer said. “Ricky has a live arm, but has to harness his control.

“There's a possibility Colby could be red-shirted. It depends how well the other bullpen guys do as to whether we'll have to use him.”

SRU's top four starters include sophomore Tanner Esposito, junior Andrew Shivak, sophomore Andy McClymonds and sophomore Like Trueman, all right-handers. Trueman is a North Allegheny graduate who doubles as the team's rightfielder.

Christian Seelhorst, a transfer from Seton Hill, is the fifth starter and another right-hander.

Trueman (.333), second baseman Jon Kozarian (.260) and third baseman Abraham Mow (.275 6 HR-29 RBI) are the lone returning starters among position players.

Connor Hamilton, a junior transfer from West Virginia University, will be The Rock's catcher. Vince Donato, a transfer from Youngstown State, is at first base.

“Connor will be one of our best players,” Messer said. “He works well with pitchers and hits for average and power. Vinnie will hit in the middle of our lineup.”

Red-shirt freshman Anthony Cinicola, a Seneca Valley graduate, will share the shortstop duties with freshman Koby Bubash.

“They are both excellent defensive players more than they are hitters,” Messer said. “One bats right, the other left. They'll be a platoon.”

The coach admitted the outfield is unsettled. Quentin Brown, a sophomore, will likely be in left field, Nick Reynosa and Alex Robenolt vying for time in center.

“I think we'll score runs,” Messer said. “It's going to come down to how well we compete with the other stalwart teams in our division.”