MARIETTA, Ohio — Thomas More coach Jeff Hetzer knew coming into the Mideast Regional every game could be tough, close contests. [Box Score] [Photo Gallery]

So far he's right.

Hetzer is just pleased his Saints were on the winning side of a 4-3, 10-inning game with host #19 Marietta on Wednesday (May 19, 2010) at Don Schaly Stadium.

"It was a great baseball game," said Hetzer, whose squad will play again at 1 p.m., Thursday. "This is the toughest region in the country. You look at the teams that are in it. We're just happy to be here. That was two very good pitched games and neither team made a lot of mistakes."

Marietta coach Brian Brewer said the only mistakes made by the Pioneers (32-12) were made by him.

"I thought our guys played well, but they played a little better," he said. "There are some things I could have done better. We didn't make some adjustments offensively, but Thomas More deserves all of the credit for winning this one."

Brewer credited Thomas More (32-14) starter Paul Uhl for keeping Marietta's batters off balance for most of the seven innings he pitched. However, Uhl didn't factor in the decision after allowing Marietta to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth. Uhl walked Dan Jones (Lima/Shawnee) to open the inning and then Kyle Wewe, who almost got out of the inning unscathed, replaced him.

But Braden Park (Oxford/Talawanda) singled through the right side scoring Jones tying the game at three.

Wewe responded by tossing the final three innings to improve to 2-1 on the season.

"Kyle has done it for us for four years. We've got confidence in the back end of the bullpen," Hetzer said. "He's been a starter for three years and even at the beginning of this year. Right now when we can take the mound with him we're confident."

Wewe, who began the season with an injured right shoulder, is just excited to have an opportunity to help his team during the regional.

"Being able to throw without it hurting feels great. I couldn't be more excited, especially with this team. We are like a big family," said Wewe, who had three strikeouts. "Marietta's 1-9 hitters are draining because they can all hit. So I was just focused on hitting spots and trying to get them to hit the ball on the ground. That was just a great ball game."

After Marietta threatened in the bottom of the ninth, Thomas More responded with a run on David Kennett's sacrifice fly off losing pitcher Mark Williams (Fayetteville/Perry) (5-4).

"We have to rally the troops and try to win a few games for the seniors," Brewer said. "Otherwise it's lose and barbecue."

Both starting pitchers settled down after the first inning. Marietta's Austin Blaski (Pandora/Gilboa) gave up one run in the initial frame, while Uhl allowed two Pioneer runs in the bottom half of the inning. Uhl gave up seven hits and struck out three in seven innings.

"It was a little nerves (for Uhl)," Hetzer said. "He was a little on edge. But I went out to talk to him and told him this was no different than any other game. After that he was good to go. He's pitched in big games all year."

Brewer was also pleased with Blaski's performance. Blaski allowed seven hits and two earned in 5 2/3 innings, but also walked five.

"I don't think he threw his best, but he kept us in the game," said Brewer, whose Pioneers play again at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. "He threw well enough to win."

Andrew Thole and Nick Zeiser each had two hits for the Saints, while Marietta's Casey Levens (Dayton/Centerville) and John Snyder (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) each had two hits and an RBI. Kirby Becker (South Euclid/St. Ignatius) also had two hits.