Rochester, Mn- 

Baseball teams in the Northern Division of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference rallied through some chilly playing conditions over the past week to get in several key double-headers as the regular season marches on towards the May playoff run.   Three MCAC student-athletes from the Iron Range diamonds stood out above the rest, and have received Pitcher-of-the-Week and Co-Player-of-the-Week honors for their efforts. 

Mesabi Range College pitcher Alex Valenzuela, a freshman from Rio Rico, Arizona, threw a complete game victory for the Norse over NHED rival, Vermilion Community College on Sunday,  April 30.  Valenzuela only conceded two runs in the 5-2 win, scattering seven hits across the contest, striking out four Ironmen and walking three. Vermilion was held to hitting .250 against the right-hander on the day. In leading MRC to the win, Valenzuela has been named MCAC North Pitcher of the Week. 

Rainy River teammates Cody Carpenter and Andew Black combined for some impressive offensive numbers, and with those stats, four wins over Hibbing Community College. Carpenter hit .500 on the weekend (8-16), scored 9 runs in total and drove in another four.  He went yard two times, and belted a triple and double as well. While drawing two walks, he stole four bases.  

Not to be outdone, fellow Voyageur Andrew Black chipped in a home run of his own, as a part of 9-for-15 weekend against HCC that included two doubles, six singles and tallying 9 RBI's. His 3-run dinger proved to the be the difference in the fourth and final game for Rainy River on the weekend. 

As the MCAC North Division play moves into the home stretch, be sure to follow the league at: www.mcacsports.org

Story courtesy of MCAC Sports