HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Redshirt junior Chase Swain's steal of home in the ninth inning was the difference on Tuesday evening as the No. 24 West Virginia University baseball team defeated Marshall, 5-4, at Jack Cook Field.
 
The Mountaineers have now won 11 straight games and improve to 31-4 overall this season while the Thundering Herd fall to 18-19. West Virginia is also 19-1 on the road this season.
 
Swain was on base three times and scored three runs while senior Grant Hussey drove in two runs. Senior Brodie Kresser and freshman Gavin Kelly each drove in one run on the night as well.
 
On the mound, the two final pitchers of the night, freshman Mac Stiffler and junior Carson Estridge, were stellar with Stiffler tossing 2.1 scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts while Estridge earned the win by throwing the final 1.2 innings, not allowing a hit and striking out three.
 
The Mountaineers took the lead in the second inning on a two-run double from Hussey. Marshall answered in the home half of the second with two runs of their own and took a two-run lead with runs in the fourth and fifth.
 
In the seventh, West Virginia rallied with two runs as Kresser and Kelly each delivered with RBI singles.
 
Marshall threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with two outs, but Estridge induced a groundout to keep the game tied.
 
In the ninth, Swain drew a walk before advancing on a sacrifice bunt from Hussey. Heads up baserunning on a strike three in the dirt got him to third as he advanced on the throw to first. With two strikes on the batter and two outs in the inning, Swain darted home and dove in safely without a throw.
 
The Mountaineers return home for a series with Cincinnati from April 17-19. First pitch on Thursday from Kendrick Family Ballpark is set for 6:30 p.m.
 
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