MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Chad Donato struck out nine during a two-hit shutout and Ray Guerrini hit his fifth homer of the season as West Virginia crushed Baylor 10-0 in the series opener Friday night.
In front of 1,229 fans at Monongalia County Ballpark, the Mountaineers (22-18, 7-8 Big 12) won their third straight game.
Donato (2-3) threw 87 pitches in finishing his second career complete game and WVU’s first of the season. In lowering his ERA to 2.67, the junior retired the Bears (19-23, 5-11) in order six times, did not allowa a walk or a runner past first base.
“That’s three games in a row where we’ve played very well,” West Virginia coach Randy Mazey said. “We pitched well, played very good defense and another double-digit hit game. I think we’ve got things rolling pretty well right now.
“Chad finally got rewarded the way he’s been pitching all year. That’s not unlike what he’s done almost every time out, but it was good to get him some run support. Up and down the dugout, everyone feels good for him because he’s had such hard luck. He’s been doing that every time out and everybody’s been hoping for him, rooting for him.”
The offensive attack was headlined by Guerrini’s homer in a five-run fifth inning. He had two hits with two RBIs, while Jackson Cramer was 3-for-3 with four RBIs.