Rochester, Mn--

With unseasonably cool tempertures settling in on Rochester, Friday May 19th, two Minnesota College Athletic Conference softball teams prepare to compete in the second day of the NJCAA Division III Softball national championship tournament. 

Itasca Community College will conclude their season today, with an appearance in the 7th place game at noon, where they will take on Onondaga Community College.  Coach Kyle Erickson's squad will be looking to finish the season with a win; their current overall record sits at 28-21.  The Vikings won the Northern Division of the MCAC in 2017, but it wasn't easy, as several Iron Range teams were in the hunt for both the Conference and Region XIIIB championships.  In the end, ICC was able to outlast their northern counterparts, aided by the pitching performance of Mandi McNeil who led not only the Northern Division, but the entire MCAC softball ranks, in pitching appearances with 37 outings on the year.  Offensively, Sam Olejar's .462 batting average, seven home runs and 28 runs batted in help lead the way for Itasca.  Power at the plate was a major component of Itasca's success this year, with a .501 slugging percentage and 27 home runs so far on the season. 

With a final game looming for the Vikings today, ICC will seek to build on those impressive numbers one more time. 

Story courtesy of MCAC Sports