SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Jon Kozarian's solo home run with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning gave Slippery Rock a 3-2 walk-off victory over West Liberty here Wednesday in non-conference action at Jack Critchfield Park.
    Coach Eric Burkle's Hilltoppers (17-25) had taken a 2-1 lead in the scheduled nine-inning game on Noah Mildren's two-out single in the top of the sixth but couldn't hang on for the win.
    Still trailing 2-1, the Rock (19-22) led off the bottom of the ninth with back-to-back singles and ultimately brought the tying run home on a sacrifice fly to send the game into extra innings.
    West Liberty failed to score in the top of the 10th and Kozarian picked on a 2-2 pitch with one out in the bottom of the inning to end it.
    Zach Hawkins had three hits and scored a run for the Hilltoppers while Will Balgo doubled, singled and scored West Liberty's other run. Ty Helmke had an RBI double in the top of the third.
    The Hilltoppers return to Mountain East Conference action on Thursday when they head to Bridgeport, W.Va. for a crucial North Division doubleheader against Fairmont State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex.
 

BASEBALL
(one out when winning run scored)
Slippery Rock 3, West Liberty 2

West Liberty             001 001 000 0 - 2  8  2
Slippery Rock           010 000 001 1 - 3  6  1
     WLU: Winter (1SO, 0W), Harmon (5) (2SO, 1W), Thomas (9) (0SO, 1W) and Z.Hawkins. Z.Hawkins 3S; Balgo D, S; Helmke D, rbi; Mildren S, rbi
     SRU: Rossman (7SO, 1W), Kitko (7) (7SO, 0W) and Barrientos. Robenolt HR, 2S, rbi; Kozarian HR, rbi