ERIC M. JUKELEVICS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore second baseman Moises Duran is congratulated by injured sophomore Brian Anderson after his game-winning home run gave Arizona the 1-0 win over San Diego State.

College baseball games are not known for their pitching duels, but that is exactly what happened yesterday at Sancet Field as Arizona defeated San Diego State 1-0.

Arizona sophomore second baseman Moises Duran posted the only offense the Wildcats would need in the bottom of the ninth, blasting a two-strike offering over the right field wall.

"I've been struggling as of late," Duran said. "All I wanted to do was put the ball in play. Coach told us to shorten up our swings, and that's what I tried to do with two strikes."

Arizona sophomore pitcher Sean Rierson ran his record to 3-0 on the year, striking out nine and walking none en route to a complete-game five-hit shutout. The outing marked the first time a UA pitcher had posted a shutout since Rob Shabansky against California on April 6, 1997.

Rierson settled into a groove quickly and had the Aztec hitters shaking their heads.

"I feel that I pitch better as the game goes on," Rierson said. "I feel like I'm a little bit jumpy in the beginning and my legs aren't quite underneath me. As my legs tire a little bit, I stay back better and have a little bit better control."

The Aztecs weren't the only ones having trouble with their bats.

Arizona could only muster a single run against San Diego State junior Chris Dunwell.

Dunwell struck out eight and also got himself out of a potential jam in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Freshman designated hitter Richard Mercado tripled to lead off the inning, but Duran and freshman third baseman John Hardy followed suit with back-to-back strikeouts. Freshman first baseman Will Thompson ended the scoring threat with a deep fly ball to center field.

Arizona head Coach Andy Lopez said he was pleased with what he saw from Duran.

"He's got some surprising power for a little guy," Lopez said.

With the victory, the Wildcats improved their record to 8-1 while the Aztecs fell to 5-2.

Game two of the series gets underway today at Sancet Field at 3 p.m. The series finale is tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Not even the legendary hitting prowess of former MLB star Tony Gwynn could help the Aztecs against Rierson yesterday.

Gwynn, who is currently a volunteer assistant coach with the Aztecs, will take over as head coach in July replacing Jim Dietz, who is retiring after 32 years of coaching SDSU baseball.

The former Aztec and two-time All-American said he is looking at this season as a learning experience.

"I'm just trying to come in here and try to soak up all of the stuff I can," he said. "I just felt like there was so much to learn, I thought it would probably be a good idea to be around them this year."