Butler accomplished two goals in its final home game of the Prospect League baseball season.

The BlueSox won.

They had fun — and made a little bit of history — doing it.

Butler overcame a 4-0 first-inning deficit against Richmond to win 8-5 at Kelly Automotive Park Wednesday night.

And Tyler Sullivan became the first player in BlueSox history to play all nine positions in a season.

“We didn’t start out very well,” said Butler manager Jason Radwan. “But our guys are good at staying loose in the dugout. It was our first game knowing we were out of the playoffs, and we had full energy today.”

Andre Jones got the start for Butler and lasted just five innings. He gave up 11 hits and five runs, only one was earned.

Carter Krick picked up the win with three shutout innings of relief.

After falling behind early, Butler (20-12) stormed back in the bottom of the third inning with four runs, keyed by a two-run single by Danny Hrbek and a RBI double by Cameron Balego.

Richmond (12-18) moved ahead in the top of the fifth inning with a monster solo home run off the bat of outfielder Cody Begovich, but the BlueSox scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead for good.

Balego had a two-run single in that rally and Butler also scored a pair of runs on a double-play groundout.

It was Butler’s fifth straight win at home and its sixth win in its last seven games.

“It’s bittersweet, but it was good to end on a good note at home,” Radwan said. “I wish we could be in the playoffs. If we had another week, I think we’d be in it. We had a great group of guys who hung in there all year. I can’t thank them enough. It’s been a good year.”

With a three-run lead late, Radwan decided to reward some of his players by giving them a chance to do something they hadn’t done all season.

Pitcher and Butler native Tyler Slepski pinch-hit in the bottom of the eighth.

And Sullivan, pitched to a batter in the top of the ninth — and recorded a groundout to short — and then strapped on the catcher’s gear to squat behind the plate.

That gave him time at all nine positions this season.

“I don’t know what’s so hard about pitching.” Sullivan quipped. “I don’t know why they complain so much.”

Radwan said winning was the top priority, but he also wanted to let his players have fun.

Especially Sullivan, who is also thought to be the first player in Prospect League history to play all nine positions in a season.

“Tyler is very versatile. It’s good to have a player like that who could probably play every position well,” Radwan said. “He goes out there every day and no matter where he plays, he’s just happy to be in the lineup.”

Sullivan said the season was a grueling one, but the fans made it easier.

Butler came within 300 fans of breaking its single-season attendance record. Over the final five home dates, the BlueSox average attendance was a shade under 1,000.

Wednesday’s final home game drew 1,003.

“We can’t do it without these fans — playing 60 games is tough,” Sullivan said. “But in front of these fans, it makes it easy to get up for every game.”

Balego’s three-hit night raised his average to .423 on the season. He has 22 hits in 55 at-bats since joining the BlueSox 15 games ago.

“Right now the ball looks like a beach ball to me,” Balego said. “And these guys have been just incredible to play with. It definitely stinks a little bit that the season is over and I came in a little late.”

Radwan wondered where his team would be had Balego arrived sooner.

“He was a good pick-up,” Radwan said. “Obviously he exceeded almost everyone’s expectations. He had a lot of energy and fit in with the guys like he had been with them all season.”

Butler will close out the year at Champion City today.

Radwan said he will be back to manage the club next season.

Richmond 400 010 000 — 5 14 3

Butler 004 000 40x — 8 7 1

W: Carter Krick 3IP (0K, 2BB). L: Cory Renois 1IP (0K, 2BB).

Richmond (12-18): Nick Moore 2-2B, Dalton Boucher 2-1B, Troy Paris 2-1B, Jeff Kammer 2B, Cody Begovich HR 2B 1B 2-RBI, Brian Hakes 2-1B, Braden Mosley 3B 1B 2-RBI

Butler (20-12): Danny Hrbek 3B 1B 2-RBI, Cameron Balego 2-1B 2B 3-RBI, Russell Clark 2B 1B

Today: Butler at Champion City