SLIPPERY ROCK — Derek Griffith may not have had the control he wanted, but the Slippery Rock Sliders always maintained control.

Griffith, who joined the Sliders on Monday, walked six batters over the first five innings, but allowed just two hits Thursday and keyed the squad's 2-0 victory over Florence (Ky.).

Justin Robinson and Greg Lasinski combined to allow no hits and one walk over the final four innings to seal the win.

"Derek's a veteran and that's why he's here," said Sliders manager Greg Jelks. "He was a little wild early. That was his first start.

"He made the pitches when he wanted to, and we expect that from him.," Jelks added.

The Freedom could not take advantage of Griffith's early control problems, stranding runners at second and third in the first, third and fifth innings.

Griffith opened the game with walks to Greg Stone and Reggie Watson, but used a fielder's choice, a strikeout of Beau Blacken and a fly ball by Josh Lex to escape the inning.

Blacken also struck out in the third inning with two outs and two runners in scoring position.

Slippery Rock (4-5) got the scoring going in the home half of the third inning when Kory Lonergan singled with one out and scored on a two-out RBI single by Cy Donald.

Nate Yoho singled and both runners moved up on a wild pitch, but Florence's Grant Payton fanned Jason Curry to end the inning.

In the fourth inning, Jason Von Behren singled and Bryan Vickers doubled to open the frame. Travis Chapman smacked a sacrifice fly to double the Slippery Rock lead to 2-0.

Florence (3-6) had a chance to answer by getting two on with two out in the fifth inning, but Blacken flied out to end the rally.

Once Payton (3Z\c innings) and Griffith (five innings) left the game, both bullpens put on a masterful performance, combining for 8X\c innings without allowing a hit.

Robinson pitched three innings with two strikeouts and one walk, and Lasinski worked the final inning with one strikeout to earn his fourth save. He has recorded a save in all four Sliders wins.

"Robinson came in and he struggled early in the year," said Jelks. "He came in a did what we expected him to do. I can't say enough about him and Greg Lasinski. He's our closer and every time he's gotten the ball, he's been outstanding."

Having dropped a tough 10-6 decision to Florence on Wednesday, Jelks was pleased to see what his team was able to accomplish just 24 hours later.

"It's huge," said Jelks. "They came out and the pitching did what it had to do, the defense, the hitting. We're still a young team and still trying to jell."

And Lasinski hopes to put his experience to good use.

"I played with Washington (Wild Things) last year and there were all veterans on that team," said Lasinski. "We had a big winning streak in the second half, but even if we lost, you could still see that confidence.

"We won a close one tonight and each week this team is going to get better and better."

Florence 000 000 000—0 2 1Slippery Rock 001 100 000—2 5 1Grant Payton, Brian McCollough (4, 4 K, 0 BB), Jon Troop (8, 1 K, 0 BB) and Eddie Gonzalez. Derek Griffith, Justin Robinson (6, 2 K, 1 BB), Greg Lasinski and Travis Chapman.

W: Griffith (4 K, 6 BB).

L: Payton (3 K, 0 BB).

SV: Lasinski (1 K, 0 BB).

Florence (3-6): Greg Stone 2-1B

Slippery Rock (4-5): Cy Donald RBI 1B; Nate Yoho 1B; Jason Von Behren 1B; Bryan Vickers 2B; Travis Chapman RBI; Kory Lonergan 1B, SB; Jason Curry SB, HBP

Attendance: 562

Today: Florence at Slippery Rock, 7:05 p.m.