Ben Krauth allowed just three hits and struck out a career-best 12, but Kansas University’s offense couldn’t support him in a 1-0 Big 12 baseball loss to West Virginia on Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.
WVU (11-8 overall, 1-3 Big 12) pushed across the only run in the second, on an RBI single from Jimmy Galusky.
Before — and after — that, it was all zeros for both teams.
Krauth (1-4) was charged with the lone run. He walked four in eight innings. In his last three outings, Krauth has thrown 25 innings, given up three runs and struck out 30 batters.
“As the season has gone on, Krauth’s fastball command has gotten better,” KU coach Ritch Price said. “When he can command his fastball, his change-up becomes deadly. It then makes his fastball seem faster. He is in a really good groove right now.”
Three West Virginia pitchers scattered seven hits, but no runs.
Winner Chad Donato (1-2) allowed five hits, with a walk and five strikeouts, over seven shutout innings.
“You are not going to get 14 or 15 hits on Friday night in our conference. The caliber of pitching is way too good,” Price said. “Donato has been a quality guy for them for three straight years. He was really good again tonight. He beat us with one pitch. That was the most disappointing thing for me tonight was we were not able to be on time and take his fastball away and make him mix his pitches.”
Colby Wright went 2-for-3 for Kansas (7-12, 0-1).
The series will resume at 2 p.m. today.
W.Va. 010 000 000 — 1 4 0
Kansas 000 000 000 — 0 7 1
W — Chad Donato (1-2). L — Ben Krauth (1-4). Save — Blake Smith (3).
KU highlights: Colby Wright 2-for-3; Joe Moroney 2-for-4; TJ Martin 1-for-1; Owen Taylor 1-for-3; Devin Foyle 1-for-4; Krauth struck out 12, allowed 3 hits in 8 innings.
