SLIPPERY ROCK — Two-run deficit. Top of the ninth inning. One out.

No problem.

Butler loaded the bases and then got a clutch two-run single from No. 9 hitter Jon Danielczyk to tie the game at 8-8.

Brendan Constantino followed with an infield single that drove in the go-ahead run as the BlueSox stunned Slippery Rock 10-8 in Prospect League action at Critchfield Park in a long game made longer by an 80-minute lightning and rain delay.

Despite the victory, the BlueSox (17-11) were eliminated from the first-half East Division race after West Virginia swept the Richmond RiverRats in a doubleheader Friday to take a 2 1/2 game lead with two to play.

Slippery Rock (9-19) was left wondering what else could go wrong in a mostly forgettable half of the season.

“I told those guys going into the last inning that we had to have positive, patient at-bats,” said Butler manager Anthony Rebyanski. “(Danielczyk) came up in that situation and knocked one through.”

Butler tacked on an insurance run on a sacrifice fly by Elliott Caldwell.

“They found about every hole they could in that last inning,” said Slippery Rock manager Shawn Pynn.

Butler's fourth pitcher of the night, Chris Marangon, worked out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth to get the win.

Marangon got the first two outs quickly with two strikeouts — the 12th and 13th punchouts of the game for the Butler staff — but walked Alex Lang and gave up a single to Zach Looney before getting Trent Wooldridge to pop out to end the game just before midnight.

Maragon struck out four in two innings of work.

Butler again put up big numbers offensively with 15 hits.

The top four batters in the BlueSox order went 9-for-19 with five RBIs.

Cleanup hitter Matt Albaugh homered and Constantino had three hits.

Caldwell went 2-for-5 to raise his average to .390 this season.

In the last three games, Butler has scored 39 runs and banged out 58 hits.

“These guys are just feeding off of each other,” Rebyanski said.

Slippery Rock also has put up some runs and hits recently. It just hasn't resulted in wins.

The Sliders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a three-run home run by Pat Gelwicks, who had a pinch-hit three-run double late in Thursday's game.

Lightning and rain hit in the top of the second inning, forcing a delay of a little more than an hour.

When play resumed, both starting pitchers took the hill again.

Neither was sharp.

Butler starter Jared Locke gave up seven runs, four earned, in 5 2-3 innings. He struck out seven but was uncharacteristically wild with four walks.

Slippery Rock starter Luis Flores lasted just five innings.

Still, the Sliders led 5-1 after three innings before Butler launched its first comeback, tying the score at 6-6 in the top of the sixth.

Slippery Rock regained the lead in the bottom of the frame and tacked on another run in the bottom of the eighth before the wheels came off in the ninth.

“I'm not terribly disappointed in our guys,” Pynn said. “I think we're moving in the right direction heading into the second half.”

The BlueSox have two games remaining against Richmond at Pullman Park Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday is the last day of the first-half of the season.

“I just like to focus on our guys coming out and taking care of their business,” said Rebyanski.

Notes: Butler first baseman Eric Hess had to leave the game with an injury to his throwing hand after making a diving catch in foul territory in the fifth inning. Rebyanski said Hess will need stitches. ... Zach Looney and Trent Wooldridge each had three hits for Slippery Rock. Wooldridge also had three RBIs. ... Locke, who threw 117 pitches, is second in the Prospect League with 45 strikeouts.

Butler 001 212 004 — 10 15 1

Slippery Rock 302 101 010 — 8 12 3

W: Chris Marangon 2IP (4K, 1BB). L: Jim Miller 3IP (0K, 3BB).

Butler (17-11): Brandon Constantino 3-1B RBI, Elliott Caldwell 2-1B 2-RBI, Kyle Petty 2-1B, Matt Albaugh HR 1B RBI, Eric Hess 1B, Neal Jacobs 2-1B, Jason Radwan 1B, Jon Danielczyk 2B 1B 3-RBI

Slippery Rock (8-19): Zach Looney 2B 2-1B 3-R, Trent Wooldridge 1B, Ryan Abernathy 3B 2-1B 3-RBI, Pat Gelwicks HR 3-RBI, Radley Haddad 1B, Jeff Revesz 2B 1B, Drew Bryan 1B

Saturday: Richmond at Butler, Slippery Rock at Chillicothe