SLIPPERY ROCK — The scoreboard said loss, but this time Paul Malley's face said victory.

Upset with a home win against Oil City two weeks ago, Malley was pleased Friday afternoon despite a 9-1 loss to undefeated Hickory.

"People might say I'm crazy, but we played well today," Malley said. "That's just baseball. It was a weird game."

Malley turned to one of his assistant coaches near the Slippery Rock bench in the sixth inning with Hickory leading by a comfortable 8-0 margin and said, "It doesn't feel like we're getting beat that bad."

For all intents and purposes, the Rockets weren't.

Slippery Rock managed just one hit off Hickory pitcher Jordan Wilds, a worm burner off the bat of Ryan Ferguson that barely rolled into the outfield grass in the second inning.

But the Rockets struck out just once against Wilds and hit a half-dozen shots right at Hornet outfielders.

Jesse Badgett was particularly bit by the unlucky bug, hitting two screaming line drives that were snagged by Hickory right fielder Taylor Englebaugh and smashing another deep fly-ball out to centerfielder Brian Szabo.

"I told Jesse not to complain anymore about bloop hits," Malley said.

Hickory wasted little time jumping of Slippery Rock.

The first four batters in the game reached base for the Hornets and by the time Slippery Rock pitcher Joey Hemphill recorded his first out, it was already 2-0.

But Hemphill settled down until Hickory blew open the game in a four-run sixth inning keyed by a two-run triple by Jayme Shephard.

Engelbaugh hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning to give the Hornets a 9-0 lead.

Derrick Orlosky flew out deep to left field for a sacrifice fly that brought home Ferguson in the seventh for Slippery Rock's only run.

"The bottom line was we only got one hit," Malley said. "You have to get baserunners."

Slippery Rock had only one real opportunity to do some damage at the plate, getting runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the second inning. But Hemphill popped out to second and Dom Neely popped out to third to end the threat.

Now, Slippery Rock is in must-win mode next week.

The Rockets travel to Oil City Monday and then host Titusville on Thursday. SlipperyRock needs to win both games and pray the District 10 committee selects them for the playoff field.

"We have to go 2-0 and see what happens," Malley said. "I've been told we are on the bubble. It's like the NCAA. I don't know what to tell the kids after the last game. Just wait and see, I guess."

Hickory 300 014 1—9 11 0Slippery Rock 000 000 1—1 1 0W: Jordan Wilds 7 IP (1 K, 4 BB).

L: Joey Hemphill 7 IP (4 K, 2 BB).

Hickory (12-0): David Schafer 3B, 1B, RBI, 3-R; Jaymee Shephard 2-1B, 3B, 3-RBI; Brian Szabo 1B, 2B, RBI; Taylor Englebaugh HR, 1B, 2-RBI; Chris Ferreri 2-1B

Slippery Rock (7-10, 6-6): Ryan Ferguson 1B; Derrick Orloski RBI

Monday: Slippery Rock @ OilCity