Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Men's Baseball

Head coach Jeff Messer will enter his 41st season in charge of the Slippery Rock University baseball program in 2026.   Messer has enjoyed nearly unparalleled success during his time at The Rock, establishing himself as one of the top coaches in college baseball history. Already the winningest coach in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference history, Messer will enter the 2026 season ranked ninth in NCAA Division II with 1,154 career victories.   CAREER AT A GLANCE • Career record: 1,154-760-5 (.603) • A 2023 ABCA Hall of Fame inductee. • Ranks 11th in Division II history for wins in a career. • Also ranks third for career victories among active coaches. • Winningest coach in PSAC history. • Seven-time PSAC Coach of the Year. • Has led SRU to the NCAA Tournament on 13 occasions with four regional championships and College World Series appearances. • Qualified for the PSAC Tournament 30 times. • Won two PSAC Tournament titles and seven PSAC West regular season championships. • 13 Slippery Rock student-athletes have been selected in the MLB draft under Messer with dozens of others also signing professional contracts in various independent leagues across the nation. • Has had just four losing seasons in his first 40 years at The Rock.   SEASON-BY-SEASON BREAKDOWN 2025 • Slippery Rock went 31-19 and earned a PSAC Tournament bid after going 16-12 inside the PSAC West and finishing fourth in the division standings. • The 31 wins secured the 20th 30-win campaign for Messer and represented the second highest victory total by the program over the last 16 years. • The Rock finished the year ranked third in the nation in walks allowed per nine innings (2.86), fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.84), seventh in WHIP (1.30), 10th in ERA (3.95) and 25th in hits allowed per nine innings (8.87). • Gage Gillott earned All-America accolades from the D2CCA while being a consensus all-region choice. • Mark Wilbur was named to the D2Baseball All-America Team. • Clay Wiesen selected to the ABCA All-Defensive Team. • Gillott, Brandon Butler, Nate Malak and Hunter Loomis named to All-PSAC West Team. • Off the field, SRU recorded a team GPA of 3.275 with 21 members of the roster earning PSAC Scholar-Athlete recognition. • Gillott, Butler, Wilbur, Wiesen and Michael Kitko were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. 2024 • Slippery Rock went 28-18 and returned to the postseason by earning a PSAC Tournament bid after going 17-11 inside the PSAC West and finishing fourth in the division standings. • The Rock finished the year ranked third in the nation in ERA (3.45), third in shutouts (7), eighth in WHIP (1.30) and 10th in hits allowed per nine innings (8.17). • Gage Gillott earned All-America accolades from the D2CCA while being a consensus all-region choice. • Gillott also was voted the PSAC West Pitcher of the Year in addition to earning all-conference accolades as a pitcher and outfielder. • Koby Bubash, Joey Purcell and Robby Barrientos joined Gillott as All-PSAC West honoree.   • Off the field, SRU recorded a team GPA of 3.274 with 20 members of the roster earning PSAC Scholar-Athlete recognition. • Eoin Rossman was chosen as the PSAC Champion Scholar as the student with the highest GPA of any athlete competing at the PSAC Tournament. • Gillott, Bubash and Michael Kitko were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. 2023 • Slippery Rock missed the postseason after ending the regular season 23-27. • Luke Trueman was named a consensus All-American. • Rock placed two on all-conference team with Trueman being named the PSAC West Athlete of the Year. 2022 • Slippery Rock went 33-16 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2007 season. • The Rock’s 33 wins represented SRU’s highest win total since 2009. • Finished second in the PSAC West standings.   • Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year and the Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. • Recorded two 11-game winning streaks. • Ricky Mineo signs free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins.   • Connor Hamilton named an All-American. • Ethan Edkins named PSAC West Freshman of the Year, Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team. • Hamilton named the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year in addition to being a part of the PSAC Spring Top 10 and the PSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.   2021 • After having the bulk of its 2020 season canceled, Slippery Rock returned to the field in an abbreviated schedule to go 23-14. • Jon Kozarian named an All-American. • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.   2020 • SRU won seven of its first 10 games before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • Joe Sibeto named the PSAC Baseball Champion Scholar.   2019 • Slippery Rock missed the postseason after ending the regular season 15-28. • SRU defeated Franklin Pierce, 17-9, on March 14 for Messer’s 1,000th career victory. • Joe Campagna named an All-American. • Rock placed four on All-PSAC West Team.   2018 • SRU followed its 27 wins in 2017 up by going 30-19 to make the PSAC Tournament. • Finished second in the PSAC West standings.   • Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year. • Recorded a 10-game winning streak. • Alex Pantuso drafted by the Oakland A’s in the MLB Draft. • Tyler Walters named an All-American. • Walters named PSAC West Athlete of the Year. • Abraham Mow named PSAC West Freshman of the Year. • Rock places eight on All-PSAC West Team. • Chris Anastas named a CoSIDA Academic All-American and the PSAC Baseball Champion Scholar.   2017 • SRU rebounded from a down 2016 to go 27-20 and return to the PSAC Tournament. • Recorded an 11-game winning streak. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team. • Chris Anastas named the PSAC Baseball Champion Scholar.   2016 • Slippery Rock had a rare down season in the form of a 13-36 record. • Tyler Walters named an All-American. • Rock places three on All-PSAC West Team.   2015 • The Rock compiled their second 30-win season in a three-year period after finishing 30-18 and making the PSAC Tournament. • SRU defeated University of the Sciences, 6-3, on March 6 for Messer’s 800th career victory. • Jack Graham drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB Draft. • Adam Urbania named an All-American. • Tyler Walters named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.   • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.   2014 • Slippery Rock finished the season 25-20 and ending with a PSAC Tournament berth. • Will Kengor drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the MLB Draft. • Kengor named an All-American and the PSAC West Athlete of the Year. • Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.     2013 • SRU had its best season in a four-year stretch after finishing 31-21 and moving on to the PSAC Tournament. • Lou Trivino drafted by the Oakland A’s in the MLB Draft. • Will Kengor named an All-American. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.   • Kengor named a CoSIDA Academic All-American.   2012 • The Rock avoided a losing season by going 25-25-1 all the while qualifying for the PSAC Tournament. • Lou Trivino named an All-American. • Rock places three on All-PSAC West Team.     2011 • SRU posted a 27-19 record to earn a PSAC Tournament bid. • Finished second in the PSAC West standings.   • SRU defeated West Liberty, 12-1, on March 26 for Messer’s 800th career victory. • Matt Howard named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.    • Ryan Oglesby named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.    • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.     2010 • Slippery Rock recorded the first of back-to-back 27-win seasons with a 27-23 mark that included a PSAC Tournament berth. • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.     2009 • The Rock just missed out on making the NCAA Tournament following a great year in which they went 36-15 overall on the way to a PSAC Tournament appearance. • Matt Adams drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the MLB Draft. • Adams named an All-American, the Daktronics Division II Player of the Year and the PSAC West Athlete of the Year. • Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.      2008 • SRU recorded another winning season, going 25-23 and playing its way into the PSAC Tournament. • Finished season ranked No. 28 in the nation. • Matt Adams named an All-American. • Rock places nine on All-PSAC West Team.     2007 • The Rock went 35-17 overall while making their third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last three years. • Finished second in the PSAC West standings.   • Ended season ranked No. 30 in the nation. • SRU defeated West Chester, 6-5, on May 18 for Messer’s 700th career victory. • Matt Adams and MJ Parsons named All-Americans. • Adams named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year.   • Rock places nine on All-PSAC West Team.     2006 • SRU was 34-22 overall, qualifying for the PSAC Tournament. • Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.     2005 • Slippery Rock returned to the NCAA Tournament following a brief one-year hiatus while finishing the season at 31-15. • Ended season ranked No. 30 in the nation. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.     2004 • The Rock followed up a World Series season by going a solid 30-21. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.     2003 • After missing the postseason a year earlier, Messer rebounded The Rock to go 48-13 and advance to the NCAA College World Series for a fourth time. • The 48 wins represent the most by a Slippery Rock team in program history. • Atlantic Region champions. • Won the PSAC West regular season championship. • Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year. • Ended season ranked No. 12 in the nation. • SRU had two separate 14-game winning streaks. • Alan Reichl, Joe Neidrack and Steve Norris named All-Americans. • Norris named the Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year. • Rock places 11 on All-PSAC West Team.     2002 • Slippery Rock finished the season with a 22-17 record. • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.     2001 • The Rock brought home regional runner-up honors while going 32-20 and again earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament. • PSAC Tournament champions. • Ended season ranked No. 27 in the nation. • SRU defeated Kutztown, 8-1, on May 19 for Messer’s 500th career victory. • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.     2000 • For the second time in a four-year stretch, Slippery Rock qualified for the College World Series as part of a season in which it went 37-14. • Atlantic Region champions. • Won the PSAC West regular season championship. • Ended season ranked No. 8 in the nation. • Greg Stokes (Minnesota Twins), Tom Sullivan (Minnesota Twins), Craig Petulla (Houston Astros) and Dan DeCola (Minnesota Twins) drafted by in the MLB Draft. • DeCola named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.   • Rock places nine on All-PSAC West Team.     1999 • SRU just missed another 40-win year, going a spectacular 39-14 and yet again qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. • Won the PSAC West regular season championship. • Ended season ranked No. 25 in the nation. • Recorded a 10-game winning streak. • Bob Spangler named an All-American. • Nate Thimons named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.   • George Johnson named PSAC West Frehman of the Year.   • Rock places eight on All-PSAC West Team.   • Mark Dolan named a CoSIDA Academic All-American.   1998 • Slippery Rock made the third of six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances en route to a season in which SRU was 34-14-1 overall. • Won the PSAC West regular season championship. • Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year. • Ended season ranked No. 26 in the nation. • Recorded a 10-game winning streak. • Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.   • Mark Dolan named a CoSIDA Academic All-American.   1997 • For the second time in program history Slippery Rock made it to the College World Series while ending the year at 30-21 overall. • Atlantic Region champions. • Won the PSAC West regular season championship. • Ended season ranked No. 20 in the nation. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.     1996 • The Rock went 27-22 and were the regional runner-up in the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament. • Won the PSAC West regular season championship. • Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year. • Ended season ranked No. 24 in the nation. • Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.     1995 • Slippery Rock quickly returned to form, going 29-21 to start a stretch of 21 consecutive winning seasons while also going back to the PSAC Tournament. • Won the PSAC West regular season championship. • Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year. • Mark Drager drafted by the Texas Rangers in the MLB Draft. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.     1994 • In a rare “down year”, Slippery Rock went 21-24 and did not qualify for a postseason tournament for just the second time in Messer’s tenure. • Tony Dougherty drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the MLB Draft. • John Davide named an All-American. • TJ Kamerer named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.   • Rock places two on All-PSAC West Team.     1993 • The Rock registered their fourth 30-win season under Messer, concluding the year at 37-12 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. • Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year. • Ended season ranked No. 12 in the nation. • Bill Gross named an All-American. • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.     1992 • SRU went 28-15, qualifying for the PSAC Tournament. • Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year. • Ended season ranked No. 27 in the nation. • Rock places four on All-PSAC West Team.     1991 • Slippery Rock returned to the NCAA Tournament for a second time under Messer while finishing the season with a 34-20 record. • Won the PSAC Tournament championship. • Ended season ranked No. 17 in the nation. • Kevin Keryan named an All-American. • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.     1990 • Followed World Series season up by going 27-20-1. • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.     1989 • The Rock won a then program record 42 games as part of a 42-17 campaign that saw SRU make the NCAA Division II World Series for the first time in program history. • Atlantic Region champions. • Ended season ranked No. 10 in the nation. • Recorded a 12-game winning streak. • Craig White drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB Draft. • White, Matt Deinert and Kirk Scurpa named All-Americans. • Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.     1988 • SRU posted another winning record, going 30-18 for another PSAC Tournament berth. • Finished second in the PSAC West regular-season standings. • Ended season ranked No. 21 in the nation. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.     1987 • Guided The Rock to a 28-20 record and another trip to the PSAC Tournament. • Willy Fillard drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB Draft. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.     1986 • Led Slippery Rock to a 24-16 record in first season at The Rock as well as an appearance in the PSAC Tournament. • SRU defeated Atlantic Christian, 5-2, on March 23 for Messer’s first victory. • Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.     THE ROCK IN THE CLASSROOM • Just as important as all the on-field accolades under Messer, have been the accomplishments of The Rock’s athletes in the classroom. Since 1997, Rock baseball has had six players named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team – including 2022 CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year Connor Hamilton - as well as 206 PSAC Scholar-Athletes. • Slippery Rock baseball has compiled a team GPA of at least 3.0 every season over the last 11 years. • Six SRU baseball student-athletes have also achieved the highest PSAC academic honors the conference honors in being named PSAC Champion Scholars and members of the PSAC Spring Top 10. COACHING TIMELINE • 1983-84: Westfield State College (assistant coach) • 1985: Oklahoma City University (assistant coach) • 1986-Present: Slippery Rock (head coach)   CAREER PATH • Messer’s first collegiate coaching position came in 1983 as an assistant at Westfield State College in Westfield, Massachusetts. Messer helped to guide Westfield to a 41-31 record in his two seasons with the Owls. • After two seasons at Westfield State, Messer became the assistant coach at Oklahoma City University for one season in 1985 where he coached five players that signed professional contracts. • Left Oklahoma City for Slippery Rock to embark on Hall of Fame career. • In addition to his coaching duties at Slippery Rock, Messer was also an assistant professor in SRU’s health and physical education department until January 2008, when he relinquished his teaching duties to become a full-time baseball coach.   PLAYING CAREER • Messer attended Springfield College, where he played shortstop on the Pride baseball team before graduating in 1980. • Upon graduation, Messer played professionally in Holland before beginning his college coaching career.   PERSONAL • A native of Lee, Massachusetts. • Received Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Springfield College. • Earned his Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology Oklahoma City University. • Messer and his wife Mary, who is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the town of Slippery Rock, are the parents of three children: Matt, Michelle and Billy.   Jeff Messer Head Coaching Career Year Wins Losses Ties Win% Notes / Postseason 1986 24 16 0 .600 PSAC Tournament 1987 28 20 0 .583 PSAC Tournament 1988 31 18 0 .633 PSAC Tournament 1989 42 17 0 .712 Atlantic Region Champions 1990 27 20 1 .573 -- 1991 34 20 0 .630 PSAC Champions / NCAA Tourn. 1992 28 15 0 .651 PSAC Tournament 1993 37 12 0 .755 NCAA Tournament 1994 21 24 1 .467 - 1995 29 21 0 .580 PSAC Tournament 1996 27 22 0 .551 NCAA Tournament 1997 30 21 0 .588 Atlantic Region Champions 1998 34 14 1 .704 NCAA Tournament 1999 38 14 1 .726 NCAA Tournament 2000 37 14 0 .725 Atlantic Region Champions 2001 31 21 0 .596 PSAC Champions / NCAA Tourn. 2002 22 17 0 .564 - 2003 48 13 0 .787 Atlantic Region Champions 2004 30 21 0 .588 - 2005 31 15 0 .674 NCAA Tournament 2006 34 22 0 .607 PSAC Tournament 2007 35 17 0 .673 NCAA Tournament 2008 25 23 0 .521 PSAC Tournament 2009 36 15 0 .706 PSAC Tournament 2010 27 23 0 .540 PSAC Tournament 2011 27 19 0 .587 PSAC Tournament 2012 25 25 1 .500 PSAC Tournament 2013 31 21 0 .596 PSAC Tournament 2014 25 20 0 .556 PSAC Tournament 2015 30 18 0 .625 PSAC Tournament 2016 13 36 0 .286 - 2017 27 20 0 .574 PSAC Tournament 2018 30 19 0 .612 PSAC Tournament 2019 15 28 0 .349 - 2020 7 3 0 .700 Season halted to COVID-19 virus 2021 23 14 0 .622 - 2022 33 16 0 .673 NCAA Tournament 2023 23 27 0 .460 - 2024 28 18 0 .609 PSAC Tournament 2025 31 19 - .620 PSAC Tournament 2026 7 3 - .700 - Career 1,161 763 5 .603 -

Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator Billy Messer enters his 14th season as the top assistant for the Slippery Rock University baseball team in 2026.   In addition to serving as The Rock’s recruiting coordinator and assistant coach, Messer oversees strength and conditioning, works with hitters and infielders and is SRU’s third base coach. Prior to embarking on his coaching career, Messer was standout student-athlete for The Rock for four seasons.   CAREER AT A GLANCE • Since joining the coaching staff prior to the 2013 season, Messer has helped to lead The Rock to 10 winning seasons, a 315-251 (.557) overall record and eight trips to the postseason. • Messer has coached 61 All-PSAC West selections including three PSAC West Athlete of the Year honorees in Will Kengor (2014), Tyler Walters (2018) and Luke Trueman (2024) as well as three PSAC West Freshman of the Year award winners: Walters (2015), Abraham Mow (2018) and Ethan Edkins (2022) in addition to one PSAC West Pitcher of the Year Gage Gillott / 2024). • Nine Slippery Rock student-athletes have also earned All-America recognition during Messer’s tenure in Kengor, Walters, Trueman, Gillott, Adam Urbania, Joe Campagna, Jon Kozarian, Connor Hamilton and Mark Wilbur. • Messer has also coached four SRU MLB draft picks and over a dozen players that have signed independent league contracts after playing at The Rock. • Off the field, Slippery Rock baseball has compiled a team GPA of at least 3.0 every season over the last 11 years with three student-athletes going on to be named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team.   COACHING TIMELINE • 2010 (Summer): Slippery Rock Sliders (assistant) • 2011-12: Virginia (Director of Baseball Operations) • 2013-Present: Slippery Rock (Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator)   CAREER PATH • Messer began his collegiate coaching career as the Director of Baseball Operations at the University of Virginia, a traditional NCAA Division I baseball powerhouse, for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. • While at Virginia, Messer helped guide the Cavaliers to a 95-31-1 record, two appearances in the NCAA Tournament, one ACC Tournament title, one ACC Coastal Division championship and one trip to the College World Series. • At Virginia, Messer had a wide range of responsibilities as he was involved in every aspect of the program. He served as the team's travel coordinator and assisted with all aspects of game day operations and on-campus recruiting. • Messer left UVA following the 2012 season to return his alma mater.   ATHLETIC CAREER • As a player, Messer was a four-year starter at second base for the Green and White. • In 181 career games played, 180 of which were starts, Messer hit .317 (197-for-621) with 107 runs scored, nine home runs, 109 RBI and 16 stolen bases. • Earned All-PSAC West honors on three occasions as well as receiving All-Atlantic Region accolades during both his junior and senior years. • Helped to lead SRU to the PSAC Tournament four times and left college with a .631 winning percentage (123-72). • Still ranks seventh in program history for doubles in a career (43) as well as ninth in games started (180), 10th in games played (181), 13th in hits (197) and 15th in RBI (109). • Also served on the Slippery Rock Student-Athlete Advisory Council all four years and was the organization's treasurer his senior year.   PERSONAL • Native of Slippery Rock. • Earned Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Slippery Rock in 2010. • Son of head coach Jeff Messer.    

Mitcheltree currently serves Slippery Rocks pitching coach.   Under Mitcheltree, Slippery Rock has produced two All-America and 27 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference pitchers. In 2013, the Oakland Athletics drafted pitcher Lou Trivino in the 11th round.    Mitcheltree helped lead the green and white to two appearances in the NCAA Division II national tournament, two NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regional championships, one Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship, and three PSAC-Western Division titles. His 2003 pitching staff finished the season ranked fourth in the nation in earned run average with a 2.87 mark.  The Rock set a season record with 48 wins that year. This season marks Mitcheltrees 40th year as a baseball coach and he has coached over 50 teams during his time. As head coach at Wilmington High school, his 1981 squad captured both the WPIAL title and the PIAA State championship.  He served as the head coach at Lakeview High School in 1977 and coached in the Youngstown Class B League for several summers. As an assistant coach with Fabulous Goldsteins they won the 1980 Ohio Connie Mack State championship and his 1983 Buckeye Elks squad participated in the NABF world series.  Mitcheltree also served as the pitching coach at Westminster College for two seasons. Mitcheltree played collegiately at Youngstown State University under the legendary Dom Rosselli.  He has scouted professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres.  He operated his own pitching school for 15 years. Mitcheltree has served the last 40 years as an assistant football coach at Wilmington High School.  He has helped lead the Greyhounds to the 2008 PIAA Class AA State championship, a state runner-up honor in 1988, two WPIAL titles, six state semi-final berths, and nine District 10 championships.  His son, T.D., was named first team all-state tight end his senior year as a Greyhound. Mitcheltree was inducted into the Lawrence County Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, was named to the North County Baseball League Hall of Fame in 2011, and received a 25-year coaching award from the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2003. Retiring in 2009, Mitcheltree taught in the Lakeview and Wilmington School Districts for a total of 37 years.  He and his wife, Cindy, reside in New Wilmington and are the parents of two sons, T.D. (a former Rock football player) and Ryan.  They have one grandson, Chase.