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By Steve Stone for MSNsportsNET.com
March 26, 2010

	Jarryd Summers

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Starting right-hander Jarryd Summers gave up just three hits and one earned run, but his effort was not enough as the West Virginia University baseball team lost to Seton Hall, 2-0, in its BIG EAST opener on Friday evening at Owen T. Carroll Field in South Orange, N.J.

Summers (1-3) struck out eight of his 29 batters faced in what was another quality start for the Sharpsville, Pa., native. He did not allow a hit to his first seven batters, and managed to offset his five walks by repeatedly getting outs as Seton Hall left nine runners on base.

It is the fifth consecutive start in which Summers has lasted at least five innings. His three hits allowed were his second-lowest this season, behind the one-hitter he pitched in a 1-0 loss to Western Carolina on March 5 in Greenville, N.C. Summers’ eight strikeouts are also his second-most in 2010 behind the 11 batters he struck out against the Catamounts.

Seton Hall starter Joe Dirocco (4-1) was equally impressive, pitching a complete-game shutout against the Mountaineers (11-11, 0-1). Dirocco also surrendered just three hits on six strikeouts in 111 pitches.

The Pirates’ (9-9, 1-0) first run came in the fifth inning. Ryan Sullivan began the frame with a walk, and Chris Spagnuolo reached first base on a throwing error by Summers, sacrificing Sullivan from second to third base. Chris Fontenelli’s sacrifice bunt then scored Sullivan to give the Pirates their first run.

Seton Hall added another run in the eighth inning on a bases-loaded wild pitch by Andy Altemus, who made his 12th appearance this season. Altemus entered a difficult situation with no outs and runners on the corners, but forced a strikeout, a groundout and an inning-ending fielder’s choice to prevent further damage.

Junior Dom Hayes recorded two of WVU’s three base hits. The Freehold, N.J., native went 2-for-4 with a double in the first inning, WVU’s lone extra base hit. Freshman Matt Malloy had the Mountaineers’ other base hit, a single in the second frame.

WVU returns to the diamond on Saturday, March 27, for game two against Seton Hall. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.