Butler was just three outs away from grabbing a WPIAL baseball playoff berth.

But the Golden Tornado's path to the postseason was interrupted, first by Mother Nature and then by rival Seneca Valley.

Butler was about to pick up its bats in the bottom of the sixth inning when lightning halted play with the Tornado holding a 2-0 lead Monday evening at Pullman Park.

Play resumed an hour later, and when the top of the seventh rolled around, Butler starting pitcher Colin McKee returned to the mound.

Up to that point, the senior right-hander had held the Raiders scoreless on just three hits.

But McKee failed to retire any of the first four batters he faced in the seventh. Included in that string was Zach DeTillio who, with runners on first and second, put down a sacrifice bunt that McKee fielded before his throw to first base went into foul territory, allowing Carson Kessler and Connor Coward to score, tying the game.

Later in the inning, Austin Bream grounded out with the bases loaded, forcing in Dan Barna with what turned out to be the game-winning run.

The only hit in the inning for the Raiders was Kessler's single that led off the frame. Coward had been hit by a pitch.

DeTillio, who took the mound for the Raiders after the delay, pitched a scoreless bottom of the seventh after walking the potential tying run with two outs and the Raiders prevailed in a wild, 3-2 decision.

With Shaler's 8-5 win over Pine-Richland earlier in the day, Butler needed a win to make the playoffs.

“This hurts,” said Golden Tornado coach Todd Erdos. “The kids battled their tails off and I feel bad for them.

“We thought about bringing in a reliever after the delay, but Colin was ready to get back in the game,” added Erdos. “He looked good during warmups and against the first couple of hitters in the seventh, he still had pretty good stuff.”

The Raiders entered the game with a section title already in their back pocket, but weren't about to quit against a section rival.

“I liked the way we competed,” said Raiders coach Eric Semega. “Though, we didn't get the big hit today. Two of our runs came on an error. Honestly, I think Butler was the better team today.”

Butler (13-5, 7-5) scored both of its runs in the bottom of the second on RBI singles from McKee and Colin Williamson.

Against Seneca Valley ace Matt Smith, the Tornado managed two runs on four hits in the first two frames combined, but the team also stranded three runners in that span.

“We put some hard-hit balls in play,” said Erdos, “but were hoping to get a few more runs out of it.”

The game quickly turned into a pitcher's duel.

In his five innings of work, Smith allowed just the two runs on five hits, striking out eight and walking three.

McKee was even more impressive, retiring nine SV hitters in a row at one point. He ended the game with 10 strikeouts and four walks.

DeTillio earned the win after his two innings of relief.

The Raiders (15-3, 10-2) will enter the playoffs on a six-game winning streak.

“Our guys showed character, but then, that's the kind of kids they are,” said Semega. “There wasn't any pressure on us today and that helped.”

“This was a big confidence booster for us,” said DeTillio. “We grew as a team today.”

For Butler, the loss equals an unfulfilled season.

“We came into the season with the expectation of making the playoffs,” said Erdos. “When you don't meet your expectations, I'm not sure how successful of a year it can be.”

Seneca Valley 000 000 3 — 3 4 0Butler 020 000 0 — 2 5 2W: Zach DeTillio 2 IP (1K, 2BB).

L: Colin McKee 7 IP (10K, 4BB).

Seneca Valley (15-3, 10-2): Jonathan Dorogy 1B, Brad Gresock 1B, Austin Bream RBI, Zach Spangler 1B SB, Carson Kessler 1B R, Connor Coward R, Dan Barna R

Butler (13-5, 7-5): Colin Williamson 2-1B RBI SB, Mick Fennell 1B SB, Matt Baranchak 1B R, Colin McKee 1B RBI, Anthony Graziani R SB

Thursday: Blackhawk at Butler