The Butler BlueSox had no trouble getting to West Virginia starting pitcher Jarron Monroe, but the Miners’ bullpen was a different story.

The Sox scored six runs off Monroe in the first three innings before three West Virginia relievers combined to shut out Butler over the final six frames in the Miners’ 7-6 Prospect League baseball victory Friday night at Kelly Automotive Park.

Butler had a chance to at least tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning when Allan Hooker came to the plate with runners at first and third and two outs. But after working the count full against hard-throwing James Doubet, Hooker lined out to second baseman Jesus Villalobos to end the game.

Against West Virginia’s bullpen, Butler tallied just three hits in six innings and stranded six baserunners.

“We struggled offensively late in the game,” said Butler manager Jason Radwan. “I thought we had some poor at bats.”

Masashi Sakamoto, the eventual winning pitcher, relieved Monroe at the start of the fourth inning. He worked 3 2/3 innings, followed by Caleb Smith (1/3 inning) and Doubet (2).

“Our relievers threw a lot of strikes,” said Miners’ manager Tim Epling. “I thought the home plate umpire (Zack Russell) was very consistent with his balls and strikes and that helps.”

The Miners (7-9) took the lead for good with two runs in the top of the seventh.

With their team trailing 6-5, Justin Paul and Dan Ward smacked back-to-back singles with one out, knocking Sox reliever Carter Krick from the game.

Jamie Switalski surrendered a pair of two-out RBI-singles to Villalobos and Hunter Vansau.

Paul and Ward went a combined 7-for-10 at the plate, including two doubles from Paul and a triple by Ward to lead West Virginia’s 15-hit onslaught.

“They both made the all-star game this year and have been consistent for us,” said Epling. “The key is getting guys on base in front of them.”

The Sox (12-8) plated two runs in the first inning thanks to back-to-back run-scoring doubles from Danny Hrbek and Matt Hansen.

A West Virginia fielding error began the bottom of the third and Butler took advantage, with David Marcus doubling home Tyler Sullivan. Another miscue allowed Hrbek and Marcus to score and Hooker drove in a run with a single. Unfortunately for Butler, it proved to be its final run of the game.

Like Monroe, Butler starter Jon Anderson had a poor outing, allowing four runs on six hits in three innings.

“He didn’t attack batters like he normally does,” Radwan said. “He’s been throwing a lot of pitches lately and getting behind in the count. But it’s late in the season and his arm is probably getting tired. Guys are giving us what they have.”

Butler third baseman Cameron Balego went 3-for-5 with a run scored.

Butler hosts the Miners at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

West Virginia 121 100 200 — 7 15 2

Butler 204 000 000 — 6 8 0

W: Masashi Sakamoto 3.2 IP (2K, 2BB). L: Carter Krick 3.1 IP (3K, 0BB). S: James Doubet 2 IP (1K, 2BB).

West Virginia (7-9): Dylan Harvey 2-2B R 2RBI, Jonathan Weeks 1B RBI, Zach Sterry 1B R, Justin Paul 1B 2-2B 2R, Dan Ward 3-1B 3B R 2RBI, Dom Iero 1B, Jesus Villalobos 1B R RBI, Hunter Vansau 1B R RBI, Ashton Cox 1B

Butler (12-8): Tyler Sullivan 1B 2R, Danny Hrbek 2B 2R RBI, Matt Hansen 2B RBI, David Marcus 2B R RBI, Cameron Balego 3-1B R, Allan Hooker 1B RBI

Saturday: West Virginia at Butler