The Butler BlueSox seemed to be headed for a Prospect League baseball victory Thursday night at Terre Haute.

Then the team’s pitching imploded late in the contest, leading to a 12-11 defeat.

Butler led 11-5 as the bottom of the seventh began and the Rex scored one run, but it was in the eighth frame when the hosts brought out the heavy lumber.

Carter Krick began the inning on the mound for Butler, but was relieved after allowing a leadoff double to Zach Milam.

Jamie Switalski took over, but could only retire one of the five batters he faced. He allowed a two-run single to Andy DeJesus, slicing Butler’s lead to 11-10 and ending Switalski’s outing.

Kyle Zurak was called on to douse the rally, but T.J. Collett belted a 2-run home run for the deciding hit.

Butler’s Tyler Sullivan doubled with one out in the ninth and represented the tying run, but was stranded by Rex reliever Tom Waning.

Zurak shouldered the pitching defeat.

Butler’s designated hitter, Dillon Sunnafrank, went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two batted in. He raised his batting average to .309 for the season.

Alex Wagner started on the mound for the Sox and allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings.

Butler (17-20 overall, 3-4 second half) plays at Terre Haute again today.