The Butler BlueSox never did solve Doug Smith.

Champion City's starting pitcher worked six no-hit innings to earn the victory in Sunday's 11-2 Prospect League baseball decision at Kelly Automotive Park.

Knoch graduate Chris Law tallied the first of Butler's two hits — a two-out single off of Kings' reliever Spencer Owen in the eighth.

Smith was working on a perfect game through five innings before Butler's Evan Webb drew a leadoff walk to begin the sixth. With two outs, Andrew Chuba laced a pitch toward the right-center gap, but Champion City right fielder Zach Santoro made a fine running catch to end the inning. It was the last batter that Smith faced.

“He only threw 66 pitches today,” said Champion City manager Ted Stenberg. “What was said is going to be left between the two of us, but it was his decision to come out of the game.”

Smith's outing included six strikeouts and the one walk. He retired the first 15 batters he faced.

“He was able to get ahead of hitters, throwing just about whatever he wanted for a first-pitch strike,” said Stenberg.

Law, Butler's No. 2 hitter in the game, concurred.

“He never seemed to be behind in the count,” he said. “We let him come at us. Then he'd paint the corners with a fastball or change-up. His change-up was working really well.”

Before Smith threw a pitch Sunday, he was handed a 5-0 lead. In the top of the first inning, a throwing error gave the Kings an extra out and they responded with Joe Acker's two-run single, followed by Greg Lewandoski's 3-run home run off of Butler starter Nick Bucci.

“We make that one mistake (error),” said Butler manager Cody Herald, “and things just snowballed from there.”

Bucci pitched for the Sox last summer and was making his 2018 debut for Butler Sunday. In three innings, he allowed seven runs, but only two were earned.

Nick Mancuso and Corey Burkes followed in relief for Butler, both allowing a pair of runs.

Trailing 9-0, Butler finally got on the board without the benefit of a hit. Austin Clark relieved Smith at the start of the seventh and loaded the bases with two outs following walks to Ryan Haff and Mike McGee and hitting Law with a pitch. Evan Webb drew another walk, forcing in Butler's first run.

Owen took over on the mound and struck out Steven Kokoski, leaving the bases loaded.

The Sox scored another run on a bases-loaded walk to Ray Scala in the ninth.

Butler was credited with two wins on Saturday. It prevailed 5-3 at Champion City in a game that began on June 9 before being suspended due to rain. The Sox then defeated the Kings, 5-4, in a regularly scheduled game. But, as has been the case this season, momentum has been difficult for Butler to sustain. Sunday's game was the latest example.

“I'd say 75 percent of the guys are showing up to the park each day (with the right mind-set),” said Herald. “There are a few guys who have not bought in yet and hopefully, that changes.”

Butler (6-16) hosts the Kings (6-12) tonight at 7:05 p.m.

Champion City 502 101 002 — 11 11 0

Butler 000 000 101 — 2 2 3

W: Doug Smith 6 IP (6K, 1BB). L: Nick Bucci 3 IP (2K, 2BB).

Champion City (6-12): Conner Pohl 1B 2B 2R, Joe Acker 2-1B 2B 2R 3RBI, Greg Lewandoski 1B HR 5RBI

Butler (6-16): Chris Law 1B R, Mike McGee 1B

Monday: Champion City at Butler