It's not how you start a game, it's how you finish it.

Butler BlueSox pitcher Brian Warheit rode that cliche to his second win of the season.

Warheit (2-0), a Butler High graduate, gave up three runs on five hits in the first two innings before managing four straight scoreless frames en route to a 6-3 win over Slippery Rock in Prospect League baseball Monday night at Pullman Park.

On the losing end was Seneca Valley product Cory Mazzoni, who struck out seven in five innings, but also gave up six runs, three earned, on 10 hits.

Mazzoni was unavailable for comment after the game.

Warheit didn't receive great support from his defense early on, as the Sliders tallied an unearned run in the first inning.

Slippery Rock (7-8) then scored two runs on four hits in the second inning, with Billy Messer smacking a run-scoring double and a fielder's choice by Matt Howard scoring another run.

"This is the second game in a row where Brian almost gave me a heart attack," said Butler manager Jason Wuerfel with a smile. "But just like the last game, he settled down."

The third and fourth innings began with Warheit giving up doubles to Slippery Rock's Jake Petkac and Tyler Plumpton.

In both cases, the pitcher forced three straight groundouts.

"After the first couple of innings, the defense was great tonight," said Warheit, who didn't strike out or walk a batter. "(Wuerfel) just told me to keep attacking the strike zone."

Meanwhile, Butler's offense was busy getting its pitcher the lead.

After a pair of unearned runs in the first inning, Butler put up three more runs in the fourth inning when Jack Greenberg's single plated Sean Gusrang and Jacke Healey.

Later in the inning, Frank Esposito came home on Eric Hymel's groundout for a 5-3 lead.

"I thought Cory's stuff was basically on tonight, but Butler did a good job of hitting good pitches," said Slippery Rock manager Chase Rowe.

Esposito, who finished the game with three hits, singled home Gusrang in the fifth to push Butler's edge to 6-3.

The BlueSox (8-7) received at least one hit from seven different players.

"We don't have any standout guys, but there aren't any easy outs on this team," said Wuerfel.

Butler received two innings of scoreless relief from southpaw Jordan LaClair and then a scoreless ninth from Sean Holliday, who picked up the save.

"I thought both of those guys made strides tonight," said Wuerfel of his two relievers. "We feel we can use them in key situations in the future."

Slippery Rock 120 000 000 — 3 9 3Butler 200 310 00x — 6 11 3W: Brian Warheit (6 IP) 0 K, 0 BB.

L: Cory Mazzoni (5 IP) 7 K, 0 BB.

Slippery Rock (7-8): Matt Howard RBI, Derek Diruscia R, Jake Petkac 1B 2B, Shane Eyler 2-1B R, Billy Messer 1B 2B R RBI, Tyler Plumpton 1B 2B, Mike Devine 1B

Butler (8-7): Brian Billigen 1B 2B R, Sean Gusrang 2-1B 2R RBI, Jacke Healey 1B R, Frank Esposito 3-1B R RBI, Jack Greenberg 1B 2 RBI, Aaron Ordy 1B, Eric Hymel RBI, Brett Zurliene 1B R

Today: Richmond (Ind.) at Butler, 6:35 p.m.

Wednesday: Richmond (Ind.) at Slippery Rock, 7:05 p.m.