Blue Opener Butler kicks off season with 4-3 home loss
The Butler BlueSox were one hit away — twice — from capping a stirring comeback in Thursday night's Prospect League season opener at Kelly Automotive Park.
It never came.
Butler fell short during eighth and ninth-inning rallies in dropping a 4-3 decision to the Champion City Kings.
“These guys barely know each other, but they hung together and fought for each other late,” BlueSox manager Cody Herald said. “That's a good sign.”
“This was a well-played game,” Kings manager Ted Stenberg said. “I was pleased with the way we got big outs in those last two innings.”
Slippery Rock University's Scala and Seton Hill University product Chuba — the bottom two hitters in the BlueSox lineup — accounted for five of the team's seven hits.
Knoch graduate Alex Stobert pitched the first five innings, allowing just two hits. A bad hop that eluded center fielder Chuba helped set up a two-run third that made Stobert as hard-luck loser.
“I was honored to get the start on opening night,” Stobert said. “I felt like I threw pretty well and I was able to shake some rust off.”
Read more about the season opener in Friday's Butler Eagle.
