FREEPORT — The game pitted two of the top teams in the Butler County Area Baseball League against each other.

The elements won.

Steady rain Saturday at Freeport's Boro Field deteriorated playing conditions and forced an end to the action after five innings, the score deadlocked at 2.

“The conditions became unsafe to continue and I didn't want to see anyone get hurt on either team,” BT assistant coach Matt Piroch said. “I told the umpires that (after the fifth inning), we all met and decided to call it off.”

The question is how will the game finish?

The two teams are scheduled to meet again Tuesday at Highfield Park. This game could pick up where it left off there, prior to the regularly scheduled game.

“I think that's what we're going to do,” Freeport manager Joe Hotalski said. “This is a big game for both teams. We'll just finish it then.”

Piroch isn't so sure.

“The problem is we have no lights at Highfield, only so much daylight,” he said. “It's undecided what we're going to do.”

Josh Grigoletti started on the mound Saturday for Butler Township (6-2) and was working on a 2-0 shutout in the fourth. Grigoletti doubled home Kevin King — who reached on an infield error — in the second and a Jiosh Bonetti sacrifice fly produced anotherrun in the third.

Grigoletti surrendered a leadoff triple to right to mound opponent Jarrett Heilman to begin the Freeport second. He struck out a pair and induced Coulton Stewart to ground out to shortstop to escape damage.

A walk and singles by Matt Mitchell and Heilman loaded the bases with one out in Freeport's fourth inning. Grigoletti struck out Brayden Clark and was trying to escape damage again when he delivered a 2-2 pitch to Garrett Ben.

The pitch was a ball, running the count full, but Grigoletti clutched his right shoulder and doubled over in pain after throwing the pitch.

“His plant foot just stuck and his shoulder went out,” Piroch said. “Josh had an issue with that a couple of years ago.”

John Piroch replaced Grigoletti on the mound. Ben eventually walked to force in a run. Stewart then walked to tie the game before Piroch escaped further damage.

Butler Township stranded the bases loaded in the fourth. Freeport (10-0) had a chance to take the lead in the fifth, but Heilman grounded out to first to leave the sacks loaded.

Heilman threw 98 pitches in five innings. He allowed only two hits and struck out 10, but he walked five and hit a batter.

“Part of being a good pitcher is pitching through the elements,” Heilman said. “I'm not going to blame the weather on walking a couple of guys.”

Hotalski did not agree.

“Our guys aren't going to make excuses, but it was slippery out there,” Hotalski said. “The mound itself was OK, but the landing spot for the pitchers was shaky.

“Hitters were having trouble getting out of the box ... It was right to stop the game when we did.”

Heilman went out to the mound to prepare to pitch the sixth inning before play was halted.

“I felt good. I was ready to go,” the pitcher said. “Coach Hotalski spends a lot of time working on this field. He has it prepared for the next hurricane.”

No decision is rendered on this game yet.

“We'll figure it out,” Piroch said.

Butler Twp. 011 00 — 2 2 0

Freeport 000 20 — 2 5 1

Game suspended by rain

BT: Josh Grigoletti 3.2IP (4K, 3BB), John Piroch 1.1IP (1K, 4BB). F: Jarrett Heilman 5IP (10K, 5BB).

Butler Twp. (6-2): Josh Grigoletti 2B RBI, Josh Bonetti RBI, Kevin King 1B

Freeport (10-0): Joe Hotalski 1B, Zach Allen 1B, Matt Mitchell 1B, Jarrett Heilman 3B 1B, Garrett Ben RBI, Coulton Stewart RBI

Tuesday: Freeport at Butler Township, 6 p.m.