SLIPPERY ROCK — Struggling to get to .500 and in danger of missing the PSAC Tournament, Slippery Rock University's baseball team is in unchartered waters.

The Rock may have steered its ship back on course Saturday.

Don Pugliese tossed a complete game three-hitter in the first game and SRU's offense came alive late in the nightcap to post a 5-2, 12-1 doubleheader sweep of Lock Haven at Critchfield Park.

"We had to have both of these games if we wanted to stay in the hunt. That was no secret to anybody," Pugliese said.

The Rock (18-18, 11-9) began the day in fifth place in the PSAC West, two games out of the division's fourth and final playoff spot. With California sweeping fourth-place Gannon Saturday, The Rock is now tied for fourth.

Mercyhurst, 10-6 in league play, gets together with Slippery Rock for a four-game weekend series this week that will determine the postseason fate of both teams.

"Big isn't big enough to describe how critical those games will be," SRU coach Jeff Messer said.

But to get to Point B, the Rock had to get past Point A. And Lock Haven scored 20 runs on SRU pitching in a twinbill split Friday at Lock Haven.

The Bald Eagle bats were silenced Saturday. Lock Haven managed only seven hits and three runs all day againstPugliese, Vince Lloyd and Zach Jeney.

"That was the best Pugliese has ever pitched for us," Messer said.

Pugliese said that was the best he's ever pitched — ever. The right-hander was never a full-time pitcher until he transferred to The Rock from Marietta (Ohio) College.

"I was an outfielder and occasional relief pitcher at Marietta," Pugliese said. "When I came here, they already had a glut of all-region outfielders in place.

"If I was gonna play, it was going to be as a pitcher."

He struck out nine, walked none and threw 98 pitches — 60 for strikes — on Saturday.

"That was the first time I had total commnand of all three pitches, my fastball, curve and changeup," Pugliese said. "My change was my out pitch today. And the fact the score was so close ... It helped me maintain focus."

The game was knotted at two until The Rock put together a three-run sixth. Matt Kosik delivered a two-run triple and Jacob Oswalt a run-scoring single in the frame.

Behind Lloyd, SRU took a 2-1 lead into the fifth inning of the nightcap before its bats finally broke loose. The Rock scored six runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to win going away.

Mitch Monas had a double, single and four RBI while Slippery Rock High graduate Billy Messer contributed a double, single and three RBI during those late uprisings.

"We're having a few guys going through some off-seasons at the plate, but we're appearing to be coming out of it," Messer said. "I'll match our starting pitching against anybody's if we get into the tournament.

"Vince Lloyd has been inconsistent at times, but he kept us in that second game until our bats came alive."

Loyd allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings Saturday before leaving with a 2-1 lead. He entered the contest with a 7.67 earned run average this year.

Mercyhurst is the final PSAC West opponent on SRU's schedule this spring.

First GameLock Haven 001 010 0 — 2 3 1Slippery Rock 010 103 x — 5 7 0W: Don Pugliese 7 IP (9K, 0BB).

L: Josh Rote 5⅓ IP (6K, 3BB).

Lock Haven: Mark Strouse 1B, Brian Kochik 2B, Scott Gaston 2B, Jon Carlson RBI

SRU: Derek DiRuscia 2B, Adam Jury HR RBI 2-R, Billy Messer 1B, Jamison Walck 2B, Mitch Monas 1B RBI, Matt Kosik 3B 2-RBI, Jacob Oswalt 1B RBI

Second GameLock Haven 100 000 0 — 1 4 1Slippery Rock 101 064 x — 12 13 0W: Vince Lloyd 42/3 IP (5K, 5BB).

L: Jordan Yohn 42/3 IP (3K, 1BB).

Lock Haven (9-23, 1-15): Brian Kochik 2-2B RBI, Josh Rote 1B, Jon Carlson 1B

SRU (18-18, 11-9): Matt Howard 3B 1B RBI 2-R, Carter Haponski 2B RBI, Derek DiRuscia 2B 2-1B RBI, Adam Jury 2B 1B RBI 2-R, Billy Messer 1B 2B 3-RBI 2-R, Mitch Monas 2B 1B 4-RBI, Jacob Oswalt 1B RBI

Tuesday: SRU at Seton Hill