SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — The Lorain County Ironmen dropped a heart breaker, 3-2 at Slippery Rock on Thursday night.

The Ironmen got the tying run to third base in the ninth inning, but were unable to drive in. Shane Sullivan took the loss; Cody Strause got the win.

The Ironmen started Adam Beach on the mound, who threw four strong innings. He allowed an unearned run, two hits, walked one and struck out four.

The run came when Kyle Brown walked to start the third inning. He moved to third base on two throwing errors and scored on an RBI fielder’s choice from Jon Capasso.

Michael Burke’s solo home run in the top of the foiurth inning tied the score at 1. Burke drove the first pitch he saw over the right field wall.

The Sliders took control for good in the bottom of the sixth. Sullivan allowed back to back singles to start the inning. Both runners would come back to haunt Sullivan thanks to a single and a sacrifice fly.

Cameron Palmer came on to relieve Sullivan in the seventh. He faced six batters, striking out five with an overpowering fastball.

The Ironmen fought back in the ninth inning. Jeff Cola started the rally with a one-out single. Cola moved to third on a single by the next batter, Conner Weir.

Nolan Neuschaefer followed with the 3rd straight single of the inning scoring Cola and sending Weir to third with the tying run. A fly out and a strikeout ended the game.

The Ironmen will be back in action tonight as they host the Butler Blue Sox in their home opener at The Pipe Yard at 7:05 p.m. It will be Elyria community night. The high school marching band will be on hand with fireworks to follow.