PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University Head Baseball Coach Jeff Messer will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday night as part of SRU Night at PNC Park festivities prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates' home game against the Cleveland Indians.

The official first pitch of the game is set for 7:05 p.m. The game will be televised live by Fox Sports Pittsburgh.

As part of SRU Night at PNC Park, all fans in attendance will receive a Pirates T-Shirt as part of the team's T-Shirt Thursday promotion. Everyone who purchases a left or right field box ticket will also receive a Pirates Ball Cap.

Messer recently completed his 24th season as The Rock's head baseball coach. He has compiled a 759-432-4 career record. He has the highest win total of any active Pennsylvania collegiate head baseball coach and ranks second on the Commonwealth's all-time wins list.

Under Messer's tutelage, Rock hardball teams have won 15 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division championships, two PSAC playoff titles and four NCAA Division II regional crowns.