After losing all four games on its last road trip of the season, the Butler BlueSox returned home with hopes of capping an otherwise disappointing season with a sweep of rival West Virginia.

But the friendly confines of Kelly Automotive Park proved no help to the struggling Sox.

Butler pitching allowed 15 hits and its defense made three errors in an 11-4 loss to the Miners.

West Virginia's onslaught began in the second inning against starting pitcher Nick Mancuso. The Miners tallied three hits in the frame, the last being a two-run single from DePaul Blunt.

Mancuso was making his first appearnace on the mound in 16 days.

“He made some good pitches, but the ball took some bad bounces,” said Butler manager Cody Herald. “He did what we expect him to do, throw strikes and let his defense make plays behind him.”

But that defense, which has been poor of late, helped the Miners blow the game open. In the third inning, two errors helped West Virginia score five runs in the frame. The biggest hit was a bases-clearing double from Cole Coffey.

By the time Butler (21-38) picked up its bats in the fifth, the deficit was 10-0. Colton Carney hit a solo home run for the Sox in that frame. In the sixth, Dominick Bucko, Kellen Sarver and Carney each drove in a run, but the hole was too deep to threaten West Virginia's lead.

Bucko and Carney both had two of Butler's seven hits.

Butler has now lost eight straight games.

“Our guys are trying to enjoy the last couple days of the season,” said Herald. “I don't think it's a question of losing focus. A lot of these guys have been playing non-stop, 50 games in college and 60 games here over the summer. Eventually, the body is going to wear down. They need a break.”

The Miners have had just one losing season in their history — 2010 when they entered the Prospect League. To avoid a losing mark this season, West Virginia (29-29) must defeat Butler in Friday's season finale.

“We want to play well and try to win every game, no matter what our record is,” said Miners' manager Tim Epling.

West Virginia 025 300 100 — 11 15 0

Butler 000 013 000 — 4 7 3

W: Jacob Rucker 5.2 IP (2K, 1BB). L: Nick Mancuso 4 IP (4K, 1BB). S: Milo Sklar 3.1 IP (5K, 1BB).

West Virginia (29-29): Dalton Cornett 3-1B 2R 3RBI, Cole Coffey 2-1B 2B 3RBI, Frankie Jezioro 2-1B 2R

Butler (21-38): Dominick Bucko 1B 2B R RBI, Colton Carney 2B HR R 2RBI, Kellen Sarver 1B R RBI

Friday: West Virginia at Butler