SLIPPERY ROCK — Contrary to popular belief, Slippery Rock Sliders manager Chase Rowe doesn't want to push the Prospect League All-Star back a week or two.

But you couldn't blame him if he did.

The Sliders banged out 14 hits against the Butler BlueSox on Monday, including eight that scored six runs in the sixth and seventh innings combined to break a tie en route to a 9-4 victory.

The game marked the Slippery Rock's fifth consecutive win as the league enters its all-star break. The Sliders improved their record against their county rival to 7-3.

Before Monday's game, the Sliders (18-16) had knocked off Chillicothe, the Eastern Division's top squad, on the road Saturday and Sunday.

"We've been keeping it light and having fun," said Rowe. "I haven't had to give any after-game speeches for a while. Everyone's playing hard. We're still hitting and getting some great pitching.

"Now, we're getting guys moved around, in the right spots," Rowe added.

Butler (17-17) put the first two batters on base in each of the first three innings and had two on with one out in the fourth inning, but could push only one run across in that span.

"I made some aggressive mistakes," said Butler manager Jason Wuerfel. "We had a strike-'em-out, throw-them-out and we had a guy who makes good contact coming up (Eric Hymel in the second inning).

"Then, I sent a runner home (Brett Zurliene in the fourth inning) on a ball that just got through the infield. We shortened our innings and when I see we, I mean me," Wuerfel added.

After Butler tied the game in the top of the sixth inning on a Frank Esposito solo home run, the Sliders answered with three runs in the sixth inning.

An error on a pickoff attempt allowed Derek Diruscia to score. Billy Messer added an RBI single and another run scored on a balk.

In the seventh inning, Shane Eyler had a two-run triple, then Messer followed with an RBI single for an 8-2 lead.

Eyler and Messer, batting fifth and sixth in the lineup, respectively, combined for six of the 14 hits. Eyler had two singles, the triple and two RBI. Messer had two singles, a double and three RBI, one apiece on each of his safeties.

"We've been hitting the ball well," said Rowe. "You can't take the same swing as you can with an aluminum bat. We're getting some good looks. Every hit counts."

Butler mounted an eighth-inning rally, as Butler graduate Aaron Ordy doubled with one out, then Zurliene and Hymel lined consecutive run-scoring singles to make it 8-4.

After Brian Billigen singled to put two runners, Slippery Rock pitcher and Butler graduate Josh Marchinoski settled down, inducing the BlueSox's Zach Noonan to strike out and Ryan McChesney to fly out.

Mike Devine pitched the ninth inning for SR, retiring the side in order, including two strikeouts.

(Starting pitcher) Mark Wilder did a good job," said Rowe. "He kept his composure. It was not his best stuff, but he battled hard and got us to Mike at the end."

"We just couldn't get that big hit," said Wuerfel. "In the wooden bat league, you have to make the other team earn its runs, and Slippery Rock does that."

With the All-Star break, most of the team will get some downtime before starting back on Friday.

"What's nice is every game in the second half means something," said Wuerfel. "It's great for the fans, the players, the coaches. It should be a fun second half."

"We've all grown together," Rowe said. "We'll get at each other if you don't run something out. It give you confidence where we're headed."

Butler 001 001 020 — 4 11 2Slippery Rock 010 103 031 — 9 14 1W: Mark Wilder (6 IP) 3 K, 4 BB.

L: Andrew DiNardo (5 IP) 4 K, 0 BB.

Butler (17-17): Brian Billigen 3-1B; Zach Noonan 1B, 2B; Frank Esposito 2B, HR; Aaron Ordy 2B; Brett Zurliene 1B, RBI; Eric Hymel 2-1B, RBI

Slippery Rock (18-16): Kenny Stoneback 1B, RBI; Nick Spisak 1B; Mike Devine 2-1B; Jacob Petkac 1B; Shane Eyler 2-1B, 3B, 2 RBI; Billy Messer 2-1B, 2B, 3 RBI; T.J. Nichols 1B; Matt Howard 1B; Derek Diruscia 2B

Friday: Richmond, (Ind.) at Slippery Rock; Chillicothe (Ohio) at Butler