When Slippery Rock won its season opener, manager Chase Rowe figured that was a good start.

After four games, he's hoping to build on its first series victory.

Kenny Stoneback's run-scoring single broke a 5-all tie in the eighth inning as the Sliders went on to post a 7-5 triumph over the Butler BlueSox in Prospect League play Monday at Pullman Park.

With the win, the Sliders (3-1) took two of three games from the BlueSox (2-2).

"That was our first actual series and that was our goal: to win a series," said Rowe. "It's a nice little rivalry with Butler and we picked up two road wins. That's the key."

The Sliders picked up a 2-1 victory at Butler Saturday, then fell at home to the Blue Sox 4-3 in 10 innings Sunday.

On Monday, Butler committed five errors, making matters tough for starting pitcher Brian Warheit, a Butler High graduate.

Warheit allowed four unearned runs on three hits over six innings and left with the game knotted at 4.

"Brian did a good job. He kept the hitters off-balance," said Butler manager Jason Wuerfel. "When he was in trouble, he battled back."

When the BlueSox's Zack Noonan belted a leadoff home run in the bottom of the seventh inning off Sliders reliever Josh Marchinoski, another Butler High graduate who plays at Brescia (Ky.) College, Butler evened the score at 5-all.

Marchinoski struck out the next three batters, then the Sliders took the lead for good in the eighth inning.

The Sliders' Billy Messer (Slippery Rock University) hit a leadoff double off Sean Holliday (SRU) and Shane Eyler followed with an infield hit. Derek Diruscia (SRU) was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Brett Zurlene entered the game for the BlueSox and induced Mike Devine to ground into a fielder's choice at home before Stoneback's RBI single drove in Messer.

Matt Howard struck out and Nate Spisak flied out to end the threat.

In the ninth inning, Zurlene walked Charlie Kelly, Tyler Plumpton and Messer to load the bases, then Eyler hit a sacrifice fly to make it 7-5.

Butler brought the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth when Brian Billigen doubled with one out. But Devine struck out Noonan, then got Brian Youchak to fly out to end the game.

"Their bullpen came in and challenged our hitters," said Wuerfel.

Devine pitched the final two innings with four strikeouts and no walks to preserve the win. It was his second save in three days.

"He has a closer's mentality," said Rowe. "He doesn't blink. He wants the ball and there's no one I'd rather give it to."

"You could tell at the start of the game it was going to be a wacky night," said Wuerfel. "Things did not go our way and it snowballed. We battled back and didn't give in, and it showed a lot of character on this team."

Slippery Rock 002 020 111 — 7 8 0Butler 020 020 100 — 5 8 5W: Josh Marchinoski (2 IP) 4 K, 1 BB.

L: Sean Holliday (1+ IP) 1 K, 1 BB.

Slippery Rock (3-1): Nick Spisak 1B, 3B, 2 RBI; Charlie Kelly 2B, 2 RBI; Billy Messer 2B; Shane Eyler 1B, RBI; Mike Devine 1B; Kenny Stoneback 2-1B, RBI

Butler (2-2): Zack Noonan HR; Brian Youchak 2-1B, RBI; Jack Healey RBI; Jack Greenberg 1B, RBI; Frank Esposito 1B; Aaron Ordy 1B; Brian Billigen 1B, 2B, RBI

Tuesday: Richmond at Slippery Rock

Wednesday: Butler at North Coast (Ohio); Richmond (Ind.) at Slippery Rock