MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – On a rough Sunday for West Virginia’s catchers, Ray Guerrini’s first-inning throwing error and Cam O’Brien’s ninth-inning passed ball led to unearned runs as No. 25 Illinois won 2-1.
Those miscues, and the Mountaineers’ proclivity for stranding baserunners, spoiled a stellar effort by sophomore right-hander Chad Donato (1-2), who tossed four-hit ball over eight-plus innings.
West Virginia (4-6) dropped three of four at the Chanticleer Classic, while the Illini (8-2-1) split four games this weekend.
The Mountaineers outhit Illinois 7-4 but only capitalized in the eighth inning when Taylor Munden doubled and scored on a Justin Fox’s bloop single.
“We had guys in scoring position with less than two outs and when it mattered we just didn’t get the hit,” said West Virginia coach Randy Mazey.
Donato gave up two unearned runs, struck out five, didn’t issue a walk and retired 13 consecutive batters from the second inning through the sixth. He threw 71 of his 102 pitches for strikes.
“He gave up a run in the first on a throwing error. If we throw that guy out, he likely could have thrown a complete-game shutout,” Mazey said. “He was really good, and that will help us down the road.”
Tied 1-1 in the ninth, Illinois’ Adam Walton led off with an infield single before WVU reliever Jordan Sergent came on and plunked Reid Roper with one out. After both runners advanced on O’Brien’s passed ball, Ryan Nagle grounded out to second base for the go-ahead run.
Walton led off the game with a slow-rolling single up the middle, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Guerrini. Roper’s groundout then made it 1-0.
“We found a way to score two runs and didn’t get the ball out of the infield,” said Illinois coach Dan Hartleb. “It’s just about finding ways to win.”
Illini starter John Kravetz, matching Donato’s effectiveness while taking a no-decision, gave up four hits and struck out nine seven shutout innings.
Roper pitched around a hit in the bottom of the ninth for his first save.
WVU’s Shaun Corso was 3-for-4 and Munden had two doubles, lifting his average to .405.
West Virginia visits East Tennessee State on Friday to begin a three-game series.