Notables
-CSS' first loss of the season when leading or tied after six innings (31-1)
-Minks a triple shy of the cycle in final collegiate game
-Dzubay allows only two hits in seven innings in his final collegiate game
-Most home runs at a NCAA Regional (6) since 2008 (7)

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WHITEWATER, Wis. (csssaints.com) – The No. 23 St. Scholastica baseball team allowed eight runs in the final two innings and saw its season come to an end following a 10-5 loss to the University of St. Thomas on Sunday at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional at Prucha Field.
 
More Home Runs
The Saints got on the board in the bottom of the first when Brian Minks (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral HS ) hit a 2-out, solo home run to give CSS an early 1-0 lead. The Tommies responded in the second, but it also appeared the Saints would get out of the inning without allowing a run. With two outs and two runners on, the Tommies hit a ground ball to Minks at third, who touched third. However, a balk was ruled on the pitch, which gave St. Thomas new life. The Tommies took advantage with a two-run single to take a 2-1 lead.
 
It remained 2-1 until the bottom of the fifth when Conor Wollenzien (North Mankato, Minn. /Mankato West HS) led off the frame with a home run to right center to tie the contest at 2-2. That marked St. Scholastica's sixth home run of the regional, with four of them only counting for one run.
 
Tommies Pile On Late
Jacob Dzubay (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS (Butler) ) was highly effective for the Saints, matching a career-high seven innings pitched and allowing only two hits, while striking out three. However, it was the bullpen's turn to take over in the eighth. Unfortunately for the Saints, a group that had been effective throughout the season struggled on Sunday.
 
St. Thomas got a one-out RBI ground-rule double to start the scoring. That was followed by a RBI single to make it 4-2. Later in the inning with two outs and another CSS pitching change, the Tommies got a two-run double to deep left and extended the lead to 6-2. St. Thomas added one more in the inning to make it a five-run inning and make the score 7-2.
 
St. Scholastica answered in the bottom frame. Drew Colvard (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS ) and Joey Zwak (Duluth, Minn. /Duluth East HS ) had back-to-back singles to lead off. After a strikeout, Minks doubled down the left field line to bring in a run. Steven Neutzling (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral ) followed with a two-run single to make it 7-5. Unfortunately, a double play then ended the inning.
 
CSS was hoping to sit the Tommies down quickly in the ninth, but that would not be the case as St. Thomas loaded the bases with no outs. The Saints got the first out by getting the runner at the plate on an infield grounder. However, St. Thomas then hit a two-run double, followed by a RBI single to extend the margin back to 10-5. The Saints did not threaten in the bottom of the ninth for a final score of 10-5.
 
Pitching
Isaac Rocha (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna HS) picked up the loss for the Saints, his first of the season. The Saints bullpen allowed eight runs on eight hits in two innings. Mitch Larson had nine strikeouts in the victory for the Tommies.
 
Top Offensive Performers
In his final collegiate game, Minks was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Neutzling also had two hits to extend his on-base streak to 35 games.
 
End of Season
The Saints finish with an overall record of 34-10. This was the 14^th NCAA Tournament appearance and the 13^th consecutive. CSS will say goodbye to seven seniors, who won a total of 128 games over the last four seasons.
 
For future information on the St. Scholastica baseball program; keep checking csssaints.com.