SLIPPERY ROCK — The good news for Slippery Rock Sliders manager Andy Chalot was his starting pitching was the best it's been this season.

The bad news was it didn't lead to a win.

Despite 7X\c strong innings from Vince Molesky, the Sliders lost 3-2 score to visiting DeKalb County (Ill.) Friday night at Critchfield Park.

Molesky struck out six and walked two in the loss.

With the game tied at 2-all, the right-hander appeared to be headed for an easy eighth inning after retiring DeKalb's Joe DeBernardis and Ryan O'Gara on ground balls.

But Kenton Parmley reached on a fielding error, stole second and moved to third on Anthony Foulk's infield base hit.

Molesky was pulled in favor of Grove City High graduate Bob Revesz, who surrendered an RBI single to Matt Lamore that put the Liners up for good at 3-2.

"That was a crucial hit," said DeKalb manager Mike Siwiec. "That's what you're looking for in that situation."

Revesz pitched the final 1Z\c innings for Slippery Rock, striking out one and walking one. But it was Molesky who was tagged with the hard-luck defeat.

"He definitely pitched well enough to win," said Chalot. "It was the best start we've had this year."

The Sliders (3-5) weren't able to mount much of a threat over the final two innings against DeKalb reliever and eventual winning pitcher Tom Zelasko.

The southpaw did issue a free pass to Kyle Mossbarger with one out in the bottom of the eighth, but he got Jeremy Banks and Matt Baer to ground out to end the inning.

The Sliders were retired in order in the ninth.

Like Molesky, DeKalb starter Jon Dicus pitched well, striking out five and walking two in six innings. He allowed two earned runs on six hits.

"I feel bad for Jon," said Siwiec. "He should've gotten the win. Both of our guys threw well tonight. Keeping hitters off-balance is the whole goal of pitching."

After managing a total of two base runners in the first three innings, Slippery Rock's offense came alive in the fourth.

Trailing 1-0, Banks' double was followed by a walk to Baer.

With two outs, both runners advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Brady Stewart's single.

"We had been hitting well before tonight," said Chalot. "We shuffled our lineup a bit, but I don't know if that had anything to do with it.

"For whatever reason, we just didn't hit tonight."

DeKalb (1-2) tied the game at 2-all with Parmley's RBI single in the top of the sixth inning.

DeKalb County 100 001 010 — 3 8 0Slippery Rock 000 200 000 — 2 6 2W: Tom Zelasko 3 IP (0 K, 2 BB).

L: Vince Molesky 7X\c IP (6 K, 2 BB).

DeKalb County (1-2): Trevor Popp 1B R SB, Joe DeBernardis 2B R, Ryan O'Gara RBI, Kenton Parmley 1B R RBI SB, Anthony Foulk 1B, Matt Lamore 2-1B RBI, Joe Long 1B, Joey Bowens 1B

Slippery Rock (3-5): Derek Carr 1B SB, Brian Davila 1B, Jeremy Banks 1B 2B R SB, Matt Baer 1B R, Brady Stewart 1B 2 RBI