Wyatt Daugherty has become quite familiar with the closer role.

The Butler High product has served in that capacity for Slippery Rock University the last two seasons and had three saves for the Butler BlueSox last summer.

Against West Virginia Tuesday night, he was asked to get two extra outs.

No problem.

Daugherty entered the game in the top of the eighth inning with runners on first and third with one out and the Sox clinging to a 2-1 lead.

He stranded both runners, then left the tying run on second base in the ninth to preserve a Prospect League victory for Butler (7-17) at Kelly Automotive Park.

“It felt awesome,” said Daugherty, who earned his second save of the season. “Whatever I can do to help the team, that's my top priority. Hopefully, we can get on a winning streak.”

Daugherty struck out Frankie Jezioro swinging and Jon Pasillas looking to get out of the eighth. In the ninth, Colby Johnson reached on a one-out single and stole second before Daugherty retired the next two batters. The latter finished with four strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.

“I was able to get ahead in the count with my slider tonight because I was throwing it for strikes,” said Daugherty. “Then I worked my curveball in and was getting a lot of swings and misses with it.”

“He's been our closer before and will continue to be our closer,” said Butler manager Cody Herald. “He's got the mentality for it and it's always there. Whether he's in the game or not, he's always ready.”

Daugherty was the fourth pitcher used by Butler in the game. Starter Chad Coles allowed just one run on seven hits in his five innings of work. He entered the game with a 1.10 ERA before striking out three and walking one. He has 22 strikeouts and just six walks on the season.

“When Chad's in the game, we know he is going to fill up the zone,” said Herald.

West Virginia's one run came in the top of the fifth. Fernando Ortiz reached with two outs on an infield single, then scored on Maddux Houghton's triple.

Miners' pitcher Sean Kiley had struggled prior to Tuesday's start. He sported an ERA over five, but kept Butler off the scoreboard until the fifth.

Two errors by the Miners (17-6) in the bottom of the inning allowed Mike McGee to score to tie the game. McGee had singled earlier in the inning.

Butler scored again in the sixth. Andrew Chuba hit a leadoff single, stole second and moved to third base on Jeff Wehler's groundout. Ryan Haff's groundout was good enough to bring Chuba home with the game's deciding run.

The Sox won the game despite being out-hit 12-3.

“We didn't have many hits, but I thought we struck the ball really well tonight,” Herald said. “We had a lot of productive outs and got clutch at-bats when we needed them.”

The game was left to Butler's bullpen and even before Daugherty took the mound, the Sox received clutch pitching.

Tre Thomas worked a scoreless top of the sixth and was credited with the win. Jace Warkentien, who has struggled as a starter this season, continued his string of not allowing a run in relief, working 1 1/3 scoreless frames.

The Sox will host the Miners again Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

West Virginia 000 010 000 — 1 12 3

Butler 000 011 00x — 2 3 0

W: Tre Thomas 1 IP (2K, 1BB). L: Sean Kiley 5+ IP (5K, 3BB). S: Wyatt Daugherty 1.2 IP (4K, 0BB).

West Virginia (17-6): Fernando Ortiz 2-1B 2B R, Maddux Houghton 1B 3B RBI, Brendan Mapes 3-1B, Frankie Jezioro 2-1B

Butler (7-17): Andrew Chuba 1B R, Ryan Haff RBI, Mike McGee 1B R, Ray Scala 3B

Wednesday: West Virginia at Butler