Messer hits 800
SLIPPERY ROCK — Jeff Messer can remember his first win as the baseball coach at Slippery Rock University.
His 800th win also is fresh in his memory. To him, there is no difference between them, however.
“It’s just as exciting as my first win,” Messer said following a doubleheader sweep of West Liberty (W.Va.) University at Crichfield Park Sunday. The two wins put Messer at 801 in his 25-year coaching career at the school. “I don’t look at any one different. It’s 801 wins for the program.”
Messer is the 26th Division II baseball coach to reach 800 career wins.
Messer reached the milestone in The Rock’s 3-1 win over the Hilltoppers in the first game Sunday.
SRU won the second game 5-1.
Messer is the active wins leader in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Messer, though, took little of the credit.
“It’s a credit to the players playing at this university as much as me coaching,” he said. “We’ve had some outstanding players and these group of guys are outstanding as well.”