CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A magical run for the Catholic University baseball team came to an end Saturday as the Cardinals fell to No. 12 UW-Stevens Point, 12-8, in game five of the NCAA Division III World Series.

Catholic (34-16) finished the season with a program-record 34 wins, its first regionals title, first Super Regionals title and first NCAA Division III World Series appearance.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 7-2 lead after three innings thanks to a three-run first and a three-run third.

After a solo home run in the top of the first gave the Pointers a 1-0 lead, Catholic immediately responded with three runs in the bottom half, all on a three-run blast to left by senior Matt Tesoriero, his sixth home run of the season.

Graduate student Tighe Watson pushed the lead to three with an RBI-double to left center in the second that scored freshman Matthew Fisher.

UWSP (41-9) got a run back on a sac fly in the top of the third, but like the first inning, the Cardinals answered with three more runs in the bottom of the inning on an RBI-single by graduate student Billy Duke and a two-run single by Fisher. All three runs were unearned as the team capitalized on three UWSP errors.

Following a scoreless fourth, Catholic carried its five-run advantage into the fifth. Highlighted by a three-run homer from Anthony Tomczak, the Pointers scored four in the inning to cut its deficit to one, 7-6.

UW-Stevens Point tied the game on a fielder's choice in the sixth before taking the lead on a bases loaded walk. The Pointers added three more runs and led 11-7 after six.

After scoring seven runs on eight hits over the first three innings, the Cardinals were held scoreless over the final six innings. UWSP's Sidney Ferry allowed just six hits over 6.1 innings while striking out four to improve his record to 6-0.

For Catholic, sophomore Danny Fitzgerald made his fifth start in 17 appearances this season, surrendering five hits and four runs over 4.0 innings while striking out four. He was one of five Cardinal pitchers, including freshman Lucky Perrotto who suffered his first loss in four decisions this season.

Watson, senior Peter Giombetti and junior Ben Nardi each totaled three hits for the Cardinals. Watson was 3-for-3 while Fisher was 1-for-2 with two walks. Tesoriero finished 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs.