Howard

SLIPPERY ROCK — Nate King threw seven shutout innings and Matt Howard drove in two runs as the Slippery Rock Sliders toppled the Butler BlueSox 7-1 at Jack Critchfield Park Saturday night.

King was brilliant Saturday, scattering five hits, striking out three and walking two.

Justin Thomas worked the final two innings for the Sliders.

Brett Zurliene drove in the only run for the BlueSox.

Brian Youchak had two hits for Butler to raise his team-leading batting average to .400.

Butler High graduate Brian Warheit got the loss for the BlueSox, giving up seven earned runs in 5Z\c innings.

Butler (13-13) was off on Sunday, but Slippery Rock traveled to Lorain, Ohio, to take on North Coast and fell 2-1 in 11 innings.

Seneca Valley graduate Cory Mazzoni got the start for the Sliders and worked six strong innings.

Butler grad Josh Marchinowski picked up the tough-luck loss, giving up the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning.

Slippery Rock (12-15) had just three hits and was hitless in the final four innings.