Rochester, MN-
As the snow begins to melt, baseball teams from around the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) are heading south for their spring trips and preparing for an extremely competitive divisional schedule this season. Coaches took time to share their thoughts and predictions for the 2023 season.
MCAC Baseball competes at the NJCAA Division III level and is divided into a North, Central, and South division.
South Division coaches selected Century College as the likely team to claim the South Division title. With a veteran squad returning and a tough early season schedule to get prepared for MCAC action, Century has plans to recapture the top spot in the South. In the Central Division, St. Cloud Technical & Community College was chosen as the team sitting atop the standings at the end of the regular season. With a very talented incoming class of freshmen and the pick up of several seasoned transfers, the Cyclones are looking forward to a divisional title on their way to another NJCAA DIII World Series appearance. Itasca Community College was picked as the clear favorite to win the North Division. With the return of 17 experienced sophmores, the Vikings are preparing for a North title and a deep run in the post-season.
For the 2023 season, MCAC Baseball will see one new program with a familiar face leading the way. Alexandria Technical & Community College begins its inaugural season under the tutelage of head coach Jason Fischer. Fischer previously served as the head baseball coach at St. Cloud Technical & Community College for 10 seasons. Justin Lamppa (Minnesota North College Itasca – 26 years) and Josh Koenig (Minnesota North College Rainy River – 14 years) are the veteran skippers in the conference, both in the North Division.
Read on for the predicted order of finish in each division and for season previews of the teams who comprise the South, Central, and North Division ranks of the MCAC. Be sure to follow @MCACSports and @NJCAABaseball on Twitter for the latest in MCAC and NJCAA two-year college baseball news, rankings and season information.
For the MCAC Baseball home page, click here or go to: http://www.mcacsports.org/sports/bsb/index
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2023 Baseball Season Preview & Coaches PollSouth Division
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MCAC South No. 1 Century College
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Head Coach: Matthew Erzar, 2 years with Century College Overall Record: 30-16 Coaching Staff: Bret Mitchell, pitching coach; Kevin Nunn, hitting coach; Dana Kiecker, bench coach; Jennifer Reddy, athletic trainer Top returning players: Kaden Pfeffer, Racine, WI, LHP Dylan Immel, Lomira, WI, RHP Xander Paar, Coon Rapids, MN, OF Noah Drusch, Farmington, MN, IF Brock Larsen, Spring Lake Park, MN, C/1B Top incoming/new players: Blaine Guthrie, Emerald, WI, C Winky Estrada, Litchfield, MN, IF Nick Ibrahim, Woodbury, MN, IF/OF Comments from Coach Erzar: "Looking forward to our tough schedule with veteran staff and line-up."
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MCAC South No. 2 Rochester Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Clark Jones, 4 years at Rochester Community & Technical College Overall Record: 65-38 Coaching Staff: Dave Adams, hitting coach; Doug Lee, defense coach Top returning players: Klayton Hawkins, Wabasha, MN, OF Yanseph Llanos, Carolina, PR, 1B/RHP Alex Dietl, Foley, MN, LHP Luke Dudycha, Hayfield, MN, LHP Carlos Martinez, Barceloneta, PR, C/DH Top incoming/new players: Rees Campanale, Orlando, FL, RHP/OF Griffin Olson, Viroqua, WI, SS/RHP Luis Rodriguez, Coamo, PR, 3B/RHP Comments from Coach Jones: "One of the deepest pitching staffs we've had here. If we hit, it could be an interesting year."
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MCAC South No. 3 Riverland Community College
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Head Coach: Derek Hahn, 5 years at Riverland Community College Overall Record: 85-55 Coaching Staff: Cameron Madsen and Kevin Juenger Top returning players: Maxwell Schumacher, Danville, IN, RHP Drew Copley, Grand Meadow, MN, UTL Jared Grams, Mankato, MN, SS Evan Hubatch, Viroqua, WI, C Jake Bryant, Fargo, ND, 2B Top incoming/new players: Hunter Vikemyr, Viroqua, WI, RHP/OF Asahi Sato Chiba, Japan, RHP Joshua Fernandez, San Lorenzo, PR, OF Comments from Coach Hahn: "Return a lot of experience from last season. Added some solid arms that should provide some depth on the mound."
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MCAC South No. 4 Western Technical College
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Head Coach: Josh Knoll, 7 years at Western Technical College Overall Record: 36-99 Coaching Staff: Tyler Moua, infield coach; Gabe Garcia, catching coach; Jake Hurley, outfield coach; Matt Gilbertson, infield assistant, Hunter Davis, pitching assistant Top returning players: Carson Johansen, Crete, NE, OF/P Dale Bratz, Carstairs, AB, UTL EJ Gumenez, San Diego, CA, IB/DH Bryce Butterfield, North Platte, NE, RHP Brandon Stadtler, Winona, MN, SS/2B/P Top incoming/new players: Michael Birkhimer, Janesville, WI, RHP Jassan Medrano, Chihauhau, Mexico, SS/P Austin Moore, Red Deer, AB, OF Comments from Coach Knoll: "Talented team that will have a good mixture of verterans and freshmen. Looking forward to playing a tough schedule the entire spring."
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MCAC South No. 5 Minnesota West Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Joe Kinley, 2 years at Minnesota West Community & Technical College Overall Record: 3-22 Coaching Staff: N/A Top returning players: Jobeth Diaz, Ceiba, PR, 1B/DH Mikey Garcia, Ceiba, PR, RF Andy Wurster, Galena, IL, C Jacob Peterson, Hanska, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Robert Reyes, San Antonio, TX, SS Blake Ahrenstorff, Worthington, MN, RHP Axell Espino, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, CF/IB Comments from Coach Kinley: "We are looking strong offensively, and are very excited to get a spring trip this year to showcase in some warm weather."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2023 Baseball Season Preview & Coaches PollCentral Division
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MCAC Central No. 1 St. Cloud Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: David Kroger, 2 years at St. Cloud Technical & Community College Overall Record: 26-13 Coaching Staff: Mitch Thompson, assistant/catching coach; Grant Ludwig, assistant coach; Jordan Barth, assistant/hitting coach Top returning players: Christian Lessman, New London, MN, RHP Brady Linn, Cold Spring, MN, CF/LHP Carson Geislinger, Watkins, MN, RHP/OF John Deschamps, Santo Domingo, DR, DH/3B Joel Rivera Torres, Aibonito, PR, 2B/SS Top incoming/new players: Brock Woitalla, Monticello, MN, SS/RHP Sam Holthaus, St. Joseph, MN, RHP/C/1B Jake Ince, Aitkin, MN, 2B/SS Comments from Coach Kroger: "We will be in Vero Beach, FL for 10 games to start the season and face off against teams at our level and a couple at DII Juco level. We will then travel to Indian Hills CC in Iowa for 4 games against a DI Juco. We have a very strong and talented freshman class. We have three St. Cloud State transfers. Dylan Gertken (All MCAC 2nd Team) transfer from Fergus has joined us for this season. Jacob Hendrickson, transfer from Bismarck CC will be in our starting rotation and has tons of power as a DH. Landon Janzen is a powerful 1B, Freshman, who won our fall MVP. Other names to watch: Peyton Randall, Matt Friedges, Asher Giese, Samson Schlegel, Cayden Hanson, Cole Fuchs. Currently have at least 6 guys throwing 84+ and 10 players with sub 7 second 60s."
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MCAC Central No. 2 Ridgewater College
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Head Coach: Tyler Hebrink, 2 years at Ridgewater College Overall Record: 17-20 Coaching Staff: Shawn Dollerschell, assistant coach; Adam Schrader, pitching coach Top returning players: Tyler Flis, Bloomington, MN, C Reece Schwirtz, Plato, MN, RHP/UTL Nolan Spence, Zimmerman, MN, IB Josh Robb, Madison Lake, MN, RHP/OF Bennett Knapper, Granite Falls, MN, 2B/RHP Jack Howard, Renville, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Sam Etterman, Willmar, MN, 3B/RHP Matt Beacom, Blooming Grove, TX, OF Caden Lang, Glencoe, MN, RHP/UTL Comments from Coach Hebrink: "Looking forward to seeing this group in action. Have some good returners and new freshmen ready to help out. Should be a fun and exciting season."
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MCAC Central No. 3 Alexandria Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: Jason Fischer, 1 year at Alexandria College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Brent Pakkala, Alex Jinkins, and Wes Johnson Top returning players: N/A - 1st year of competition Top incoming/new players: Jaden Drill, Courtland, MN, 1B/P Lucas Burgum, Mandan, ND, P/INF Chuck Hackett, Foley, MN, 3B/P Comments from Coach Fischer: "As a first year program, we are young. 32 of our 33 players are freshmen. We will have a good mix of power, speed, and defense. We should be fairly deep on the mound. The community of Alexandria is excited for college baseball to start."
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MCAC Central No. 4 Central Lakes College
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No Team Information Provided |
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MCAC Central No. 5 Anoka-Ramsey Community College
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No Team Information Provided |
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MCAC Central No. 6 Minnesota State Community & Technical College - Fergus Falls
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Head Coach: Grant Harding, 3 years at Minnesota State Community & Technical College – Fergus Falls Overall record: 28-46 Coaching Staff: Isaiah Sykora Top returning players: Mike Short, Middle Sackville, NS, IF Bret Engelmeyer, Melrose, MN, P Top incoming/new players: Beau Fetting, Ada, MN, SS Aiden O'Brien, Red Wing, MN, P Logan Pulju, Richville, MN, IF/P Comments from Coach Harding: "We feel like we have a balanced team that will work really hard."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2023 Baseball Season Preview & Coaches PollNorth Division
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MCAC North No. 1 Minnesota North College - Itasca
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Head Coach: Justin Lamppa, 26 years at MNC - Itasca Overall Record: 666-428 Coaching Staff: Chris Brown, assistant coach; Mike Gebhart, assistant coach; Ashley Palmer, athletic trainer Top returning players: Kodi Miller, Grand Rapids, MN, C/OF Layton Rivas, Fort Pierce, FL, OF Jackson Bonneville, Ashland, WI, IF Jake Eltiste, Omaha, NE, IF Avery Liestman, Litchfield, MN, P/1B Top incoming/new players: Gage Lund, Forest Lake, MN, IF/P Kole Paulsen, Northwestern, WI, C/OF Geremy Mattis, Davie, FL, SS Comments from Coach Lamppa: "17 sophomores are returning with experience. Excited to see how they continue to develop."
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MCAC North No. 2 Minnesota North College - Hibbing
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No Team Information Provided |
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MCAC North No. 3 Minnesota North College - Vermilion
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Head Coach: Tom Coombe, 6 years at MNC - Vermilion Overall Record: 54-74 Coaching Staff: Cody Leslie, assistant coach; Mike Pope, assistant coach Top returning players: Cameron Peterson, Callahan, FL, OF/RHP Jesus Trejo, Holyoke, CO, 2B/3B Michael Feralio, Billings, MT, 1B Angel Torres, Palm Bay, FL, LHP Jovann Hamlin-Arana, Burien, WA, 2B Top incoming/new players: Mason Kostka, Eau Claire, WI, SS Kelbee Woodham, Bonifay, FL, C/RHP Jake Palomo, Colorado Springs, CO, P/OF Comments from Coach Coombe: "We have a large group of incoming freshmen who can contribute and will need to contribute if we are to contend in the Northern Division. Position-wise, it's probably the most depth we've had but I am concerned about our pitching. We don't have a lot of experience on the mound and will need our freshmen to step up and contribute. This group has a tremendous work ethic."
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MCAC North No. 4 Northland Community & Technical College
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No Team Information Provided
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MCAC North No. 5 Minnesota North College - Rainy River
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Head Coach: Josh Koenig, 14 years at MNC - Rainy River Overall Record: 193-273 Coaching Staff: Matt Buller, assistant coach; Riley Acra, assistant coach; T.D. Hostikka, assistant coach Top returning & incoming players: Jake Ouweneel, Longmont, CO, RHP Juan Alcoverde, Tucson, AZ, RHP Kyle Sontag, Mandeville, LA, C Christian Dicochea, OF/RHP Michael Wright, Winnipeg, Manitoba CAN, 1B Ethan Bergen, Appleton, WI, OF Top incoming/new players: Demarques Ortega, Arvada, CO, OF Darian Pretorius, Krugersdorp, South Africa, IF Josue Franco Jr., Tucson, AZ, IF Comments from Coach Koenig: "We have an experienced group of returning players and nice group of freshmen. Looking forward to seeing what they can do together. It should be a fun and exciting season!"
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MCAC North No. 6 Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range
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Head Coach: Chris Vito, 7 years at MNC - Mesabi Range Overall Record: 49-13 Coaching Staff: Dave Kunz, assistant coach; Tom Norman, assistant coach; Jesse Bennett, statistician Top returning players: Nick Peters, Britt, MN, SS Brandon Lind, Kelly Lake, MN, LHP/1B Logan Nordby, Virginia, MN, OF Breydan Carson, Tucson, AZ, LHP Gage Kracht, Belle Fourche, SD, OF/SS Top incoming/new players: Brodie Vining, Tucson, AZ, C Keondric Allbritton, Moorhead, MN, 2B/OF Will Bittmann, Iron, MN, RHP/1B Comments from Coach Vito: "We lost some excellent sophomores but also return quite a bit of experience from last year's regional qualifying team. I am looking forward to seeing how we improve as the season goes on."
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About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.