SLIPPERY ROCK — The innings are starting to come for Brad Duffy — and so are the results.

Duffy pitched seven hitless innings and struck out nine batters over eight innings to key the Butler BlueSox to a 2-0 victory over the Slippery Rock Sliders in Prospect League action Thursday at Critchfield Park.

“Seriously, I didn’t think about the no-hitter until I heard some of the (Sliders) in their dugout saying ‘let’s break up the no-hitter,’ said Duffy.

Duffy allowed only a leadoff single to Kyle Brown in the eighth inning, but escaped any damage when he got Kevin Burgi to ground out and James Lundstrom to ground into a double play.

The only other threat the Sliders posed was in the second inning when Duffy walked two batters with two outs. But he got Burgi to pop out.

“He’s definitely a guy who gets stronger as the game goes on,” said BlueSox manager Anthony Rebyanski. “He keeps guys off-balanced and make them chase his best pitches.”

Duffy, of Fombell, who attends Mercyhurst College, has five starts this season and has fanned eight or more batters in four of them.

The win evened his mark at 2-2 and dropped his ERA to 1.75. In 36 innings, he has 38 strikeouts, along with nine walks and surrendered just 22 hits.

In his previous outing, a 3-2 loss against Nashville June 22, he struck out nine and did not issue a walk.

“I didn’t get many starts in college and I want to prove I can be a starter,” said Duffy. “It’s a learning experience. I’m able to get my pitch count higher.”

Slippery Rock manager Andy Chalot has seen Duffy pitch and didn’t think he had his best stuff on the hill Thursday, which may be a scary thought.

“He’s a good pitcher, but I don’t think he was as sharp,” Chalot said. “The catcher (Taylor Juran) was moving a lot and he was missing some spots. That can be effective, too.

“We still had a chance, but we’ve struggled with the bat. We’ve scored just one run in the past three games. the guys are working hard, but we just need something,” Chalot added.

Not to be outdone, the Sliders’ Scott Dierdorf allowed just one run and three hits through six innings.

The lone run he allowed was in the fourth inning when Shayne Houck opened with a walk and one out later, advanced to third on a double by Chris Rasky.

Brian Lares grounded into a fielder’s choice to plate Houck.

“(Dierdorf) pitched well,” said Rebyanski. “he mixes his pitches well. You have to tip your hat to him. He battled.”

The BlueSox (12-13) added an insurance run in the seventh when Rasky led off with a double off Cody Stause and would eventually score on a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Jon Danielczyk.

“I think the guys are frustrated,” said Chalot. “You want them to be confident and they expect to hit the ball. It’s going to happen any day. It’s just not happening yet.”

Notes: Colin Harrington has finally joined the BlueSox — he played with the University of Virginia who took part in the College World Series — and had two hits ... The game was delayed 75 minutes because there were no umpires. The game was played with one while former Slider Derek Carr helped out as the field umpire ... Wes Rich pitched a hitless ninth inning to earn the save.

Butler 000 100 100 — 2 6 0Slippery Rock 000 000 000 — 0 1 1W: Brad Duffy 8 IP (9K, 3BB).

L: Scott Dierdorf 6 IP (2K, 1BB).

Butler (12-13): Matt Berezo 1B; Colin Harrington 2-1B; Chris Rasky 2-2B; Brian Lares RBI; Ryan Siegel 2B; Jon Danielczyk RBI

Slippery Rock (8-17): Kyle Brown 1B

Today: Slippery Rock at Butler, 6;35 p.m.

Saturday: Butler at Slippery Rock, 7:05 p.m.