CLARION — The Slippery Rock University baseball team clinched a berth in the upcoming PSAC Tournament with a doubleheader split at Clarion on Thursday.

That spit, combined with Pitt-Johnstown and California (Pa.) splitting a twinbill, puts The Rock in the tournament.

SRU (26-17, 15-11) won the first game, 9-1, at Clarion before the Golden Eagles (15-32, 8-18) won the nightcap, 4-3.

Gage Gillott retired the first 18 batters he faced in Game 1, striking out seven. His bid for a perfect game was foiled by a lead-off double in the seventh by Caden Contant, who came around to score to ruin the shutout.

Robby Barrientos had four hits, two RBI and two runs scored for SRU on the day. Koby Bubash had three hits, including a double. Brandon Butler had three hits, including a home run.

SRU hosts Clarion for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at 1 p.m. Friday at Critchfield Park. A sweep by The Rock, coupled with a Mercyhurst sweep of Indiana (Pa.), would lift The Rock into third place in the PSAC West.

The PSAC Tournament runs from Wednesday through May 11 at Critchfield Park.