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Mar. 28—ROCHESTER — The Rochester Community and Technical College baseball and softball teams have both played close to a dozen games already, after their spring trips to the East Coast.
Here's a glance at the RCTC baseball and softball teams as they prepare to open their Minnesota College Athletic Conference season.
Head coach: Clark Jones (6th season)
2024 season: 29-17 (14-2 in MCAC play), Lost to Century College in Region XIII Final Four.
Key returners: So. LHP/1B Teagun Ahrens; So. 2B/3B Ramon Teran.
Newcomers to watch: Fr. SS Jesus Sosa; Fr. Infield Jerry Fletcher; Fr. RHP/OF Nate Vaughn; So. RHP Ethan Paisley.
2025 outlook: The Yellowjackets, who finished last year with a 2-3 postseason record and a loss in the Region XIII Final Four, returned from their Spring Break Trip in Myrtle Beach, S.C. with a 5-5 record — something coach Clark Jones said is an indicator of a "good" showing.
"We don't go down there to win every game," Jones said. "We play a lot of players, and we want to learn about our team. ... It's kind of like sculpting a sculpture. Try to mix and match players so they have success. ... So there were games we should have won, there were games we probably should have lost that we won, but it kind of all balances out in the wash."
The Yellowjackets are confident they can return to the postseason and make a run with a mix of both newcomers and returners on their roster.
Jones said freshman shortstop Jesus Sosa, who came to RCTC from PR Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico, is getting attention from Division I programs and pro scouts. With a pair of home runs and 11 RBIs, Sosa is already making an impact for the Yellowjackets through 11 games. Century grad and freshman infielder Jerry Fletcher has been dealing with an injury, but Jones said the 2024 Post Bulletin Player of the Year is expected to return this weekend and that the team is "excited" to have him back. Iowa Lakes Junior College transfer sophomore Ethan Paisley, who holds a 0.71 ERA, has been the Yellowjackets' "best" pitcher so far, according to Jones.
Sophomore returners LHP/1B Teagun Ahrens and 2B/3B Ramon Teran have also stood out to Jones. Ahrens with his solid performances at center field and Teran who Jones describes as the team's "ultra utility man." Teran plays right field and second base and has done a "nice job" in the two-slot with getting on base, stealing bases and putting the ball in play.
RCTC sits at 5-6 overall and will face its conference and division opponents on Saturday, April 5.
Coach Jones says: "Our expectations every year are to win the southern division and go to state and go to the World Series. ... (Our players) continually improve. We have a faster team than we normally have. ... (Our) strength is definitely our defense, and I feel we have really good pitching depth. I feel from a weakness standpoint, we haven't quite hit our stride in terms of our offensive potential. I feel like we're much better than what we are (now). But it's a journey, and we're teaching them up and we're just trying to get better each day out. So, it's still really early. I'm not really concerned about this stuff. It's just things that we've been working on."
Sophomores: Kyle Bechtel (SS/2B, Caledonia, Minn.); Jeffrey Larimore (OF/2B, Crystal, Minn.); Teagun Ahrens (LHP/1B, Owatonna, Minn.); Ramon Teran (2B/3B, Barquisimeto, Venezuela); Riley Forbes (C, Lake City, Minn.); Payton Garza (3B, Waseca, Minn.); Ethan Paisley (RHP, Ainsworth, Iowa); Zack Carr (LHP, Rochester, Minn.); Owen Vargas (C/3B, New Port Richie, Fla.); Zach Condon (RHP/3B, Rochester, Minn.); Liam Minnich (LHP/OF, Hudson, Wis.); Caleb Beavers (2B/1B, Rochester, Minn.); Jacob Trusner (OF, Monticello, Ill.).
Freshmen: Drew Yahnke (RHP, Caledonia, Minn.); Manuel Espaillat (LHP, Puerto Rico); Chase Horstman (RHP/3B/OF, Bangor, Wis.); Sam Johnston (RHP/OF, Rochester, Minn.); Jesus Sosa (SS, San Juan, Puerto Rico); Harmon Zylstra (LHP/OF/1B, Scottsdale, Ariz.); Nate Vaughn (RHP/OF, Sussex, Wisc.); Jerry Fletcher (Infield, Rochester, Minn.); Phillip Bransford (LHP, Rochester, Minn.); Bo Boettcher (LHP/OF, Stewartville, Minn.); Connor Mathison (OF, Viroqua, Wis.); Michael Sierra (2B, Holiday, Fla.); Christian Revilla (C, Holiday, Fla.); Dylan Balazovic (C/3B, Cheboygan, Mich.); Brayden Peterson (LHP/OF, Viroqua, Wis.); Tyler Quackenbush (LHP/OF, Viroqua, Wis.).
— Madeline Warren
Head coach: Chad Schmitz (1st season)
2024 season: 19-21 (10-2 in MCAC play), Region XIII-A champs, national qualifiers, placed eighth at NJCAA DIII World Series.
Key returners: So. OF/1B Bailey Monson; So. OF/LHP Skylar Beckel; So. 3B/1B Brynn Irish.
Newcomers to watch: Fr. SS/2B Jayda Bednarek; Fr. 3B/OF Ivette Mendoza; So. UTL Alayna Leighton.
2025 outlook: Last year the Yellowjackets reached the NJCAA DIII World Series for the first time in a decade after winning the Region 13A title. This year's squad is confident they have the talent to make it back. They will try to do it behind first-year coach Chad Schmitz, who was an assistant last year for coach Jaimi Stejskal. Stejskal stepped down at the end of last season after three seasons at the helm. Schmitz said he loves the leadership and experience sophomores Bailey Monson, Skylar Beckel and Brynn Irish bring to the table this season. Monson's season is off and running as she is third on the team in batting average (.320), while driving in a team-best nine runs in 11 games this year. Beckel, meanwhile, is committed to NAIA Mayville (N.D.) State.
"Their dedication and proven skills will be instrumental in guiding the team towards its goals this season," Schmitz said. "The team benefits immensely from their leadership and the stability they bring to the roster."
Schmitz is especially excited about newcomers Alayna Leighton, who is a Stewartville graduate who transferred home after a year at Iowa Lakes Community College, as well as Jayda Bednarek and Ivette Mendoza — both of whom are "providing valuable depth" according to Schmitz. Leighton is committed to finish her career at Ripon College (Wis.). She hit .423 across 98 at-bats in 47 games for the Lakers a year ago.
It's been a little bit of a struggle so far for RCTC, which has lost its first 11 games of the season. However, the Yellowjackets started the season 3-12 last year, before winning 16 of their final 25 games. They are confident they can go on another run this season. Conference play starts April 1.
Coach Schmitz says: "The upcoming season holds immense promise, building upon the momentum of last year's success. Conference play commences on April 1st, and we're eager to hit the ground running. Our goal remains a top-tier finish in both the conference and regional standings. This team's defining characteristics are grit and exceptional speed, allowing for dynamic and expansive coverage on the field. The offensive unit is particularly impressive, showcasing remarkable speed and the potential for explosive plays. We anticipate a highly competitive and rewarding season."
Sophomores: Bailey Monson (OF/1B, Bennett, Wis.); Alayna Leighton (2B/UTL, Stewartville); Skylar Beckel (OF/LHP, Elgin); Brynn Irish (3B/1B, Chatfield); Presley Newcomb (3B/UTL, Plainview).
Freshmen: Jayda Bednarek (SS/2B, Marshall); Chloe McFarlane (OF, Merrillan, Wis.); Holly Flom (C/1B, Ada); Eleyna Haugerud (OF/UTL, Lanesboro); Ivette Mendoza (3B/OF, Kenyon); Klaudia Biel (P, Harmony).
— Alex VandenHouten
Continue reading...
Here's a glance at the RCTC baseball and softball teams as they prepare to open their Minnesota College Athletic Conference season.
Head coach: Clark Jones (6th season)
2024 season: 29-17 (14-2 in MCAC play), Lost to Century College in Region XIII Final Four.
Key returners: So. LHP/1B Teagun Ahrens; So. 2B/3B Ramon Teran.
Newcomers to watch: Fr. SS Jesus Sosa; Fr. Infield Jerry Fletcher; Fr. RHP/OF Nate Vaughn; So. RHP Ethan Paisley.
2025 outlook: The Yellowjackets, who finished last year with a 2-3 postseason record and a loss in the Region XIII Final Four, returned from their Spring Break Trip in Myrtle Beach, S.C. with a 5-5 record — something coach Clark Jones said is an indicator of a "good" showing.
"We don't go down there to win every game," Jones said. "We play a lot of players, and we want to learn about our team. ... It's kind of like sculpting a sculpture. Try to mix and match players so they have success. ... So there were games we should have won, there were games we probably should have lost that we won, but it kind of all balances out in the wash."
The Yellowjackets are confident they can return to the postseason and make a run with a mix of both newcomers and returners on their roster.
Jones said freshman shortstop Jesus Sosa, who came to RCTC from PR Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico, is getting attention from Division I programs and pro scouts. With a pair of home runs and 11 RBIs, Sosa is already making an impact for the Yellowjackets through 11 games. Century grad and freshman infielder Jerry Fletcher has been dealing with an injury, but Jones said the 2024 Post Bulletin Player of the Year is expected to return this weekend and that the team is "excited" to have him back. Iowa Lakes Junior College transfer sophomore Ethan Paisley, who holds a 0.71 ERA, has been the Yellowjackets' "best" pitcher so far, according to Jones.
Sophomore returners LHP/1B Teagun Ahrens and 2B/3B Ramon Teran have also stood out to Jones. Ahrens with his solid performances at center field and Teran who Jones describes as the team's "ultra utility man." Teran plays right field and second base and has done a "nice job" in the two-slot with getting on base, stealing bases and putting the ball in play.
RCTC sits at 5-6 overall and will face its conference and division opponents on Saturday, April 5.
Coach Jones says: "Our expectations every year are to win the southern division and go to state and go to the World Series. ... (Our players) continually improve. We have a faster team than we normally have. ... (Our) strength is definitely our defense, and I feel we have really good pitching depth. I feel from a weakness standpoint, we haven't quite hit our stride in terms of our offensive potential. I feel like we're much better than what we are (now). But it's a journey, and we're teaching them up and we're just trying to get better each day out. So, it's still really early. I'm not really concerned about this stuff. It's just things that we've been working on."
Sophomores: Kyle Bechtel (SS/2B, Caledonia, Minn.); Jeffrey Larimore (OF/2B, Crystal, Minn.); Teagun Ahrens (LHP/1B, Owatonna, Minn.); Ramon Teran (2B/3B, Barquisimeto, Venezuela); Riley Forbes (C, Lake City, Minn.); Payton Garza (3B, Waseca, Minn.); Ethan Paisley (RHP, Ainsworth, Iowa); Zack Carr (LHP, Rochester, Minn.); Owen Vargas (C/3B, New Port Richie, Fla.); Zach Condon (RHP/3B, Rochester, Minn.); Liam Minnich (LHP/OF, Hudson, Wis.); Caleb Beavers (2B/1B, Rochester, Minn.); Jacob Trusner (OF, Monticello, Ill.).
Freshmen: Drew Yahnke (RHP, Caledonia, Minn.); Manuel Espaillat (LHP, Puerto Rico); Chase Horstman (RHP/3B/OF, Bangor, Wis.); Sam Johnston (RHP/OF, Rochester, Minn.); Jesus Sosa (SS, San Juan, Puerto Rico); Harmon Zylstra (LHP/OF/1B, Scottsdale, Ariz.); Nate Vaughn (RHP/OF, Sussex, Wisc.); Jerry Fletcher (Infield, Rochester, Minn.); Phillip Bransford (LHP, Rochester, Minn.); Bo Boettcher (LHP/OF, Stewartville, Minn.); Connor Mathison (OF, Viroqua, Wis.); Michael Sierra (2B, Holiday, Fla.); Christian Revilla (C, Holiday, Fla.); Dylan Balazovic (C/3B, Cheboygan, Mich.); Brayden Peterson (LHP/OF, Viroqua, Wis.); Tyler Quackenbush (LHP/OF, Viroqua, Wis.).
— Madeline Warren
Head coach: Chad Schmitz (1st season)
2024 season: 19-21 (10-2 in MCAC play), Region XIII-A champs, national qualifiers, placed eighth at NJCAA DIII World Series.
Key returners: So. OF/1B Bailey Monson; So. OF/LHP Skylar Beckel; So. 3B/1B Brynn Irish.
Newcomers to watch: Fr. SS/2B Jayda Bednarek; Fr. 3B/OF Ivette Mendoza; So. UTL Alayna Leighton.
2025 outlook: Last year the Yellowjackets reached the NJCAA DIII World Series for the first time in a decade after winning the Region 13A title. This year's squad is confident they have the talent to make it back. They will try to do it behind first-year coach Chad Schmitz, who was an assistant last year for coach Jaimi Stejskal. Stejskal stepped down at the end of last season after three seasons at the helm. Schmitz said he loves the leadership and experience sophomores Bailey Monson, Skylar Beckel and Brynn Irish bring to the table this season. Monson's season is off and running as she is third on the team in batting average (.320), while driving in a team-best nine runs in 11 games this year. Beckel, meanwhile, is committed to NAIA Mayville (N.D.) State.
"Their dedication and proven skills will be instrumental in guiding the team towards its goals this season," Schmitz said. "The team benefits immensely from their leadership and the stability they bring to the roster."
Schmitz is especially excited about newcomers Alayna Leighton, who is a Stewartville graduate who transferred home after a year at Iowa Lakes Community College, as well as Jayda Bednarek and Ivette Mendoza — both of whom are "providing valuable depth" according to Schmitz. Leighton is committed to finish her career at Ripon College (Wis.). She hit .423 across 98 at-bats in 47 games for the Lakers a year ago.
It's been a little bit of a struggle so far for RCTC, which has lost its first 11 games of the season. However, the Yellowjackets started the season 3-12 last year, before winning 16 of their final 25 games. They are confident they can go on another run this season. Conference play starts April 1.
Coach Schmitz says: "The upcoming season holds immense promise, building upon the momentum of last year's success. Conference play commences on April 1st, and we're eager to hit the ground running. Our goal remains a top-tier finish in both the conference and regional standings. This team's defining characteristics are grit and exceptional speed, allowing for dynamic and expansive coverage on the field. The offensive unit is particularly impressive, showcasing remarkable speed and the potential for explosive plays. We anticipate a highly competitive and rewarding season."
Sophomores: Bailey Monson (OF/1B, Bennett, Wis.); Alayna Leighton (2B/UTL, Stewartville); Skylar Beckel (OF/LHP, Elgin); Brynn Irish (3B/1B, Chatfield); Presley Newcomb (3B/UTL, Plainview).
Freshmen: Jayda Bednarek (SS/2B, Marshall); Chloe McFarlane (OF, Merrillan, Wis.); Holly Flom (C/1B, Ada); Eleyna Haugerud (OF/UTL, Lanesboro); Ivette Mendoza (3B/OF, Kenyon); Klaudia Biel (P, Harmony).
— Alex VandenHouten
Continue reading...
