Through six games, no one could solve the Butler baseball team.

Shaler found an answer Thursday night at Pullman Park in the form of starting pitcher Matt Bernick.

The Titans' ace struck out 11, allowed three hits and walked just two en route to a 4-0 victory over the Golden Tornado.

It was the first loss of the season for Butler, which dropped to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in Section 1-AAAA play.

“We know Butler is a real good team. We came in and we were ready to play,” said Shaler coach Brian Junker. “These kids believe. The kids battled, they were ready and they were not intimidated.”

Shaler (6-2, 1-1) pushed a run across in each of the first two innings on the benefit of just one hit.

Butler starting pitcher Matt Baranchak struggled to consistently find the strike zone and the Titans took advantage with a patient approach at the plate.

Baranchak struck out five and allowed only two hits in 3¾ innings of work, but walked eight — one intentionally — threw 92 pitches and surrendered four runs, three of which were earned.

“It's tough to win ballgames when you're putting that many guys on base,” said Butler coach Todd Erdos. “It makes for more opportunities for bad things to happen.”

Shaler drew a pair of two-out walks in the top of the first inning before Alex Conway delivered an RBI single up the middle to give the Titans a 1-0 edge.

“That really catapulted us and gave our bench some energy,” noted Junker.

The Tornado had a golden opportunity to strike back in the bottom half of the first, but stellar defense preserved Shaler's lead.

Colin Williamson singled to lead off the frame and Alex Ziegler walked to put two men on with no outs.

However, Bernick induced a flyout from Mick Fennell before Williamson was gunned out by Sullivan while trying to steal third. Colin McKee hit a grounder up the middle, but second baseman Taylor Colomarino made a diving back-handed snag and threw out McKee to end the threat.

“It kept Butler off the board,” said Junker. “A big thing about baseball is when someone scores, you have to answer back and Taylor stopped them from doing that.”

Butler reached second base just one more time for the remainder of the game and never had a runner on third.

“Their pitcher did a tremendous job. They played solid all-around baseball,” said Erdos. “They came prepared to play and from the first pitch on, that kid worked fast on the mound and good things happen behind you when you're throwing strikes.”

Shaler scored in the second inning after two walks and an error. The Titans pushed two more across in the fourth when Baranchak walked Jim Hughes with the bases loaded and Zakk Feringer plunked Conway in the following at-bat.

“I think we have to learn from some of the mistakes we made tonight. Mentally, every section game is tough,” said Erdos. “It's still early, so we're going to try to build from it and come prepared and ready to play (Friday) night against North Allegheny.”

Shaler 110 200 0 — 4 5 0Butler 000 000 0 — 0 3 1W: Matt Bernick 7 IP (11K, 2BB).

L: Matt Baranchak 3X\c IP (5K, 8BB).

Shaler: Derek Sullivan R; Ryan Mincher 1B, R; Jim Hughes RBI; Alex Conway 2-1B, 2-RBI; Alec McElroy R; Tom Orr 1B; Joe Spalick 1B, R.

Butler: Colin Williamson 1B; Colin McKee 1B; Dante Dorcy 1B.

Today: Butler at North Allegheny, 7 p.m.