The Butler BlueSox were one hit away — twice — from capping a stirring comeback in Thursday night's Prospect League season opener at Kelly Automotive Park.

It never came.

Butler fell short during eighth and ninth-inning rallies in dropping a 4-3 decision to the Champion City Kings.

“These guys barely know each other, but they hung together and fought for each other late,” BlueSox manager Cody Herald said. “That's a good sign.”

A two-out RBI single by Damon Nuss gave the visiting Kings a 4-1 lead in the top of the eighth. That insurance run proved quite beneficial.

The BlueSox loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning. No. 4 hitter Colton Carney lofted a sacrifice fly to left, but Damian Maglione lost his footing between second and third base and was tagged out in a quick rundown to end the frame.

Herald said Maglione fell victim to wet turf as the game was delayed nearly an hour by heavy rain in the sixth inning.

“Damian just slipped. The field was wet. There's nothing you can do about that,” Herald said.

Champion City looked like it would add another run in the ninth when Alex Ronnebaum tripled to deep center with one out. But he was thrown out at home trying to score on a wild pitch.

The play marked catcher Kristian Webb's third assist of the night as he threw out two potential base stealers earlier.

Kellen Sarver doubled to right to begin the BlueSox ninth. Evan Webb walked. Following an infield pop-up, Ray Scala bounced out to first, moving the tying runs into scoring position.

No. 9 hitter Andrew Chuba beat out an infield single to plate a run and put runners on the corners. Knoch graduate Chris Law ended the game with a tapper to the mound.

“This was a well-played game,” Kings manager Ted Stenberg said. “I was pleased with the way we got big outs in those last two innings.”

Slippery Rock University's Scala and Seton Hill University product Chuba — the bottom two hitters in the BlueSox lineup — accounted for five of the team's seven hits.

Knoch graduate Alex Stobert pitched the first five innings, allowing just two hits. A bad hop that eluded center fielder Chuba helped set up a two-run third that made Stobert as hard-luck loser.

“I was honored to get the start on opening night,” Stobert said. “I felt like I threw pretty well and I was able to shake some rust off.”

Stobert had not pitched in two weeks.

Alex McCune, who will be entering his senior season at Grand View University, pitched the first five innings for Champion City and got the win. He allowed three hits and threw just 63 pitches before the rains came.

“I was going to pull him at that point anyway,” Stenberg said. “He hadn't pitched in a while and was getting tired.”

Notes: Seneca Valley senior and 2017 Butler Fair Queen Shirlann Harmon sang the national anthem. ... Dr. Jason Clark of Butler Health Systems Orthopedics threw out the ceremonial first pitch. ... The BlueSox' annual Buck-A-Hit campaign will benefit the Butler County Humane Society this season. The Humane Society will being an adoption-eligible pet to home games on occasion. Nora, a 1-year-old boxer-terrier mix, was on hand Thursday. ... Jace Warkentien of Western Illinois University will pitch Friday's 7:05 p.m. game for the BlueSox. It will be Fireworks Night. ... Attendance Thursday night was 387.

Champion City 002 001 010 — 4 6 4

BlueSox 000 010 011 — 3 7 1

W: Alex McCune 5IP (2K, 1BB). L: Alex Stobert 5IP (4K, 2BB).

Champion City (1-0): Joe Acker 1B 2-RBI, Damon Nuss 1B RBI, Sheldon Reed 3B RBI, Alex Ronnebaum 3B, Gehrig Anglin 1B, Adam Purdy 2B 2-R

Butler BlueSox (0-1): Colton Carney RBI, Kellen Sarver 2B, Evan Webb 1B, Ray Scala 2-1B, Andrew Chuba 3-1B RBI

Friday: Champion City at Butler