The Butler BlueSox are back — with a little competition.

Sporting plenty of Butler County players on its roster, the BlueSox made their home debut in the Tri-State Collegiate League Sunday night, defeating the Butler Iron Bucks 6-2 at Michelle Krill Memorial Field at Pullman Park.

Some of the BlueSox players were on the Iron Bucks' roster last year. The Iron Bucks played in the TSCL last season.

“Once they decided to bring the BlueSox back, they decided to keep most of the Butler guys together,” said BlueSox shortstop Ryan Lynn, who played for the Iron Bucks last season.

A few Butler graduates — Dallas Hays and Isaiah Lucas among them — still play for the Iron Bucks.

“We're hoping this becomes a rivalry,” Iron Bucks manager Matt Morrone said. “Our goal is to become the preferred hometown team.”

The BlueSox got the leg up in that regard on this night — with former Butler players having plenty to do with it.

Lynn had a triple to deep right and scored the tying run in the third inning after the Iron Bucks took an early 2-0 lead. Starting pitcher Shawn Marcellus worked five innings — allowing only one hit over his final three frames — and struck out five.

He allowed two runs on three hits in the first two innings.

“I was having trouble with my breaking stuff early,” Marcellus said. “Once I was able to get those pitches over, things worked out for me.”

Butler graduate Colby Anderson, now at Slippery Rock University, pitched a scoreless sixth and got the win. Dan Williams delivered a two-out RBI single in the sixth to plate the eventual winning run.

SRU pitcher Andy McClymonds struck out four over two innings and Butler grad Nash Bryan — now at Seton Hill University — struck out the side in the ninth to end the game.

BlueSox pitching recorded 13 strikeouts on the night.

“Our pitchers have been getting a lot of work in,” BlueSox manager Dan Helgert said. “Pitching is ahead of hitting right now. Pitchers can simulate an outing ... you can't simulate hitting.”

Players were simply grateful to don a uniform and get on the field at all.

“Way too much time sitting home with not much to do,” Marcellus said. “Coming out here, with a supportive crowd like this, it felt amazing.”

The crowd Sunday night approached the allowable limit of 250.

“This was probably right up against that limit,” Morrone said. “People have missed baseball.”

Lynn admitted he did.

“I haven't played a game here since last summer,” he said. “It feels good to be back.”

Lynn now plays at La Roche University.

Williams had two singles and two RBI while Knoch graduate Alex Altmire had a RBI single for the BlueSox.

“So many of these guys missed out on their spring seasons,” Helgert said. “They've been chomping at the bit to get back on the field.”

The BlueSox and Iron Bucks, both 1-2 on the young season, were scheduled to play again Monday night at Pullman Park.

Iron Bucks 110 000 000 — 2 9 4

BlueSox 011 001 12x — 6 9 0

W: Colby Anderson 1IP (1K, 0BB). L: Kyle Lxsy 5.2IP (7K, 6BB).

Iron Bucks (1-2): Ben Kosbie 2B 1B, Colin Harger 2-1B RBI, Jacob McCaskey 1B, Brent Creehan 2B 1B, Spencer Blackburn 1B RBI, Isaiah Lucas 1B

BlueSox (1-2): Ryan Lynn 1B 3B RBI, Korey Shoupe 2-1B RBI, Tyler Woodrow 1B 2-R, Dan Williams 2-1B 2-RBI, Nate Stitz 1B, Alex Altmire 1B RBI