SLIPPERY ROCK — Wednesday’s Region 6-AAA baseball game between Grove City and Slippery Rock just wasn’t meant to end.

In one day, anyway.

The teams were deadlocked at 2-all from the top of the fifth inning until the top of the 12th when the Eagles finally scored their third run.

In the bottom of the inning, the Rockets loaded the bases with two outs. Grove City reliever Nick Davies induced Kyle Benson to hit a seemingly harmless pop-up between home plate and the pitcher’s mound. But Davies and catcher Brandon Dennis both attempted to make the play and collided, allowing the ball to hit the ground. Slippery Rock’s Danny Williams stepped on home plate to tie the game once again.

Davies regrouped to get Ryan Lauster to fly out to end the frame. Moments later, the umpires decided not to start another inning due to darkness.

Action will be picked up today in the top of the 13th inning at 4:15 p.m. at Slippery Rock’s high school field.

“It was there for us and it’s very disappointing,” said Grove City coach Billy Herman of the misplay that extended the game. “The good news is we get to start fresh tomorrow.”

“I’ve never been involved in a high school game that lasted this long,” said Slippery Rock coach Nathan McCollough. “Both teams had to battle through adversity. It’s fun when high school baseball is competitive.”

The Eagles grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of the 12th when Xian Messett singled home Carter Chinn. But two batters later, Messett was thrown out at home trying to score on a base hit by Davies.

Both teams have struggled in the field, with Grove City (3-4, 2-0) committing five errors and Slippery Rock four.

Even with the miscues, both pitching staffs have done incredibly well.

Slippery Rock starter Gunner Becker allowed just two unearned runs, striking out eight and walking one in nine innings — the maximum allowed in one day for a high school pitcher.

“He was fantastic,” McCollough said. “He worked down in the zone and got a lot of ground-ball outs. He did everything you can ask of a kid.”

Dylan Dingel has worked the last three innings for the Rockets (5-3, 0-1) allowing Grove City’s third run on five hits.

Grove City starter Justin Orlowski gave up two runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 innings before giving way to Kyle Shingledecker, who worked 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Logan Minch pitched a scoreless 11th inning, but was pulled in favor of Davies after walking Williams and Dingel to start the 12th frame.

Williams has three base hits for Slippery Rock. Chinn and Colton Eccles have two hits apiece for Grove City.