Hitting hasn't been the problem for the Slippery Rock Sliders this season. In fact, they've been scoring runs with the best of them.

Defense has been holding them back.

On Monday, the Sliders committed just one error and used a pair of two-out RBI singles by Kyle Mossbarger and Matt Baer to break a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning in a 4-2 triumph over the Butler Blue Sox at Pullman Park.

"All year, we've been giving ourselves a chance to score," said Sliders manager Andy Chalot. "Eight of our 10 games, we've had double-digit hits.

"What we've done poorly in is defense. (Monday) we had just one error and it didn't cost us ... We usually average about three or four errors," Chalot added.

"Offense is about timely hitting, not just hitting," said Butler manager Jason Wuerfel. "When you have the opportunities, you have to take advantage of them.

"In that regard, you have to tip your hat to the other team. They did a really good job in that situation. Their pitchers did a good job," Wuerfel added.

Slippery Rock took the lead for good in the seventh when, with two outs, Brian Davila stole second, then Mossbarger singled him home.

After Derek Carr worked a walk against BlueSox reliever D.J. Cannon of Mars, Matt Baer lined an RBI single. Danny Fawcett replaced Cannon, and walked Jeremy Banks to load the bases.

Fawcett escaped further damage by inducing Matt Fenster to fly out.

Butler stranded five baserunners over the final three innings and was unable to plate another run.

In the seventh, Cameron Squires had a one-out single, then with two outs, Jonathan Craycraft reached on an infield single, but Seneca Vzalley graduate Kevan Smith flew out to center.

In the eighth, Butler had runners on the corners and one out, but Logan Uxy's hard grounder off Brandon Atkins resulted in a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

In the ninth, Zach Duggan (Seneca Valley) led off with a walk and advanced to third on two fielder's choices, but Craycraft grounded out to end the game.

"I thought we played well enough to win," Wuerfel said. "We had a couple of lineouts, double plays. That happens when you play a long season.

"I don't think our guys felt down about it. A little disappointed because we had two runs but (eight) hits. I'm proud of our squad," he added.

Butler (5-5) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a leadoff home run by John Sulzicki.

Slippery Rock answered with two runs in the top of the third inning as Carr had a sacrifice fly RBI and Baer followed with an run-scoring triple.

Butler tied the game in the fourth inning. Duggan earned a bases-loaded walk with two outs before Squires popped out to close the frame.

Mark Allen Bounds came on relief of Cory Baker in the fourth inning to earn the win for the Sliders.

"Cory got a little tired in the fourth inning," said Chalot. "He was a reliever (at Lincoln Trail CC). He's not ready to go deep into the game. His first start was in a torrential downpour and had a long delay. He's not stretched out yet.

"Bounds pitched 2X\c innings and has three of our four wins. He's not overpowering, but he doesn't beat himself. As long as our pitchers don't walk batters and we don't make errors, we'll be a great team."

Notes: Both teams stranded nine baserunners ... Butler opened the season with a win, then had a four-game losing streak before a four-game winning streak, which was snapped Monday. Brian Warheit (Butler) pitched five innings with one strikeout and one walk and allowed six hits. He was not charged with a decision.

Slippery Rock 002 000 200 — 4 10 1Butler 010 100 000 — 2 8 0W: Mark Allen Bounds 12/3 IP (1K, 0BB).

L: D.J. Cannon 12/3 IP (0K, 2BB).

Slippery Rock (4-6): Kyle Mossbarger 3-1B, RBI; Derek Carr 1B, RBI; Matt Baer 1B, 3B, 2 RBI; Matt Fenster 1B; A.J. Miller 1B; Brian Davila 1B; Sean Mahley 3B

Butler (5-5): Jonathan Craycraft 1B; Kevan Smith 1B; John Sulzicki HR, 2-1B; Adam Jury 1B; Zach Duggan RBI; Cameron Squires 2-1B

Today: Butler at Slippery Rock, 2:05 p.m.