SLIPPERY ROCK — The young Rockets sure like the drama.

“I call them the Cardiac Kids,” said Slippery Rock baseball coach Fred Pryor. “They have to make everything interesting.”

The Rockets' baseball team certainly did Wednesday afternoon at home against Oil City, falling behind 3-0 before their first at-bat.

Slippery Rock built what looked like a comfortable lead, but even that was an adventure as Oil City climbed back into the game before the Rockets held the Oilers off, 9-6.

“It's a win,” Pryor said. “But it was pretty ugly.”

The first inning was particularly cringe-worthy for Slippery Rock as the Oilers scored three unearned runs against Rockets' starter Ian Balquist.

Two errors in the frame led to the troubles. So did an infield hit and a couple of seeing-eye singles.

But Balquist, a lanky left-hander with a live fastball and bending breaking pitch, settled down.

The Slippery Rock bats then jumped on Oil City starter Matt Caldwell in the second inning, playing five runs against the Oilers' lefty.

Slippery Rock (7-3, 2-0) tacked on a run in the third and fourth innings for a 7-3 lead.

All nine hitters in the Rockets' lineup had at least one hit.

No. 9 hitter Mason Hilderbrand had two of them and three clutch RBI.

Hilderbrand, the only senior on the roster, is taking college courses at Butler County Community College.

“He won't be (in that ninth spot) for long,” Pryor said. “He's been taking college classes, so he hasn't been to every game and every practice. I'm all about education. That's more important.”

Miscues again opened the door for Oil City (2-6, 0-2) in the top of the sixth.

The Oilers scored two more unearned runs against reliever Zach Caldwell in the frame to cut the lead to 7-6.

“We're young — we have one senior. We're going to make mistakes,” Pryor said. “But we have to get better every day. Right now our pitchers are throwing great games and our offense came alive today, but our defense needs to be better. Has to get better.”

Slippery Rock responded by getting those two runs back in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Colby Rybak and Matt Caldwell, who took to the mound again after pitching one-plus inning to start.

Oil City coach Steve Pikna said his starter didn't have his best stuff, which is why he gave him the early hook.

“Matt's breaking stuff was there,” Pikna said. “But his fastball wasn't there. He can throw a lot faster than what we saw. I don't know if he was tired or if it was because he hasn't been feeling well.

“Colby — we were hoping to close with him,” Pikna said. “But, best laid plans.”

Rybak came into the game with a 0.60 ERA, but he gave up four earned runs against the Rockets.

Pikna was pleased with his team's approach at the plate against Balquist.

Oil City saw a lot of pitches and chased Balquist after just 4 1/3 innings because of his pitch count.

“The Slippery Rock pitcher is someone who could probably shut a team out,” Pikna said. “Not only did we get some runs on the board against him, we were patient and chased him early.”

Despite the youth and the growing pains, Slippery Rock is undefeated in the region.

But Pryor is zeroing in on correcting the defensive lapses that, so far, haven't cost the Rockets dearly.

Except for the coach's nerves.

“We fielded a 1,000 ground balls yesterday. We'll get to work,” Pryor said. “That's our motto.”

Oil City 300 012 0 — 6 9 1

Slippery Rock 051 102 x — 9 13 5

W: Ian Balquist 4.1IP (5K, 3BB). L: Matt Caldwell 1.1IP (1K, 1BB). SV: Zach Caldwell 2.2IP (3K, 1BB)

Oil City (2-6, 0-2): Colby Rybak 2-1B, Matt Caldwell 2B, Ty Strawbridge 1B 2-RBI, AJ Angros 2-1B RBI, Thomas Fink 2-1B RBI, Isaiah Kerr 1B

Slippery Rock (7-3, 2-0): Balquist 1B RBI, Zack Thompson 2-1B RBI, David Duffalo 2-1B RBI, Alex Duffalo 1B, Shane Thompson 1B RBI, Nathaniel Willison 1B, Zach Caldwell 2-1B, Walker Allison 1B, Mason Hilderbrand 2-1B 3-RBI

Friday: Titusville at Slippery Rock