Kyle Jensen set the tone for St. Scholastica by shutting out No. 2-ranked St. Thomas. Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com

In a genuine pitchers' duel, St. Scholastica defeated St. Thomas 1-0 Wednesday in the opening game of the 2013 NCAA Midwest Regional in Whitewater at Prucha Field at Miller Stadium. 

Both pitchers held their opposing offenses at bay with the first hit allowed coming in the fourth inning. The game was scoreless through the first six innings. Andy Schwantes provided the lone run of the game for CSS in the top of the seventh. Schwantes singled to right field to lead off the inning. A throwing error on a bunt in the next at bat had Schwantes heading for third and a throw from first base sailed high to allow the only run of game to cross the plate. UST threatened with runners on third in the seventh and eighth and two runners on in the ninth but were unable to push across a run. 

J.D. Dorgan led the Tommies with two of the team's six hits in the game. The Saints were led by two hits apiece from Kyle Flagstad and Schwantes.

On the mound, Kyle Jensen picked up his fifth win of the season to move to 5-2. Jensen threw six innings allowing four hits while striking out six and walking one. Thomas Rogers notched the save, his ninth of the season, going three innings and allowing two hits with a strikeout and walk. Steve Maher was charged with the loss in 8.1 innings, giving up seven hits while striking out three and walking one without allowed an unearned run. He is 4-2 this season.

The Saints improve to 28-9 and play again Thursday at 3 p.m. against the loser of the game between UW-Whitewater and Case Western Reserve. The Tommies fall to 33-6 and will play on Thursday at noon against the loser of a game between UW-Stevens Point and Benedictine.  The NCAA D-III regional uses a double-elimination format.

The last time a 1-0 was game played at Pruca Field was May 7, 2011, when UW-Whitewater defeated UW-La Crosse 1-0 in the second game of a WIAC regular season doubleheader.