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Illig at heart of West Virginia’s opening-day victory

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Chase Illig doubled to start a four-run uprising in the fourth inning and later homered as No. 22 West Virginia opened the college baseball season with a 5-4 win at Jacksonville.

“Chase played great,” said coach Randy Mazey, whose team is coming off the program’s first NCAA regional berth since 1996.

While the catcher led a 10-hit attack, West Virginia’s bullpen delivered by stranding the tying runner on base in each of the final four innings.

Shane Ennis (1-0) earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless middle relief and Sam Kessler got the final two outs for his second career save.