Rochester, MN-
After a year away from a Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) baseball season, collegiate teams throughout the land of lakes have returned to the field to prepare for an exciting spring. With the 2021 NJCAA baseball season underway, MCAC baseball coaches share their thoughts and predictions for the 2021 season.
Minnesota College Athletic Conference Baseball competes at the NJCAA Division III level and is divided into a Northern, Central, and Southern division.
Central Division coaches selected St. Cloud Technical and Community College as the likely team to finish atop the division. The Cyclones return several players who retained eligibility due to COVID and should be led by 2019 First Team NJCAA All-American Will Funk (Sauk Centre, MN). In the Northern Division, Itasca Community College was picked to finish slightly ahead of Vermilion Community College; while Southern Division coaches named Century College to finish the season with the division championship.
MCAC Baseball will see a new coach, Grant Harding, taking over the Minnesota State – Fergus Falls' program. Justin Lamppa (Itasca Community College – 24 years), Josh Koenig (Rainy River Community College – 12 years), and Jason Fischer (St. Cloud Technical and Community College – 10 years) are the veteran skippers in the conference.
Read on for the predicted order of finish in each division and for season previews of the teams who comprise the Northern, Central and Southern 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
|
Minnesota College Athletic Conference2021 Southern Division Baseball Poll & Preview
|
||
MCAC South No. 1Century College
(Century College hopes to be celebrating in style at the end of the 2021 season. The Wood Ducks were picked #6 in the NJCAA preseason baseball poll.) |
Head Coach: Josh Threlkeld, 2nd year with Century College Overall Record: 10-6 Coaching Staff: Bret Mitchell, Pitching Coach; Greg Nesbitt, Recruiting Coordinator; Kevin Nunn, Assistant Coach Top returning players: Brenden McKevitt, Woodbury, MN, CF Matt Nunn, Edina, MN, C David VanOrt, Stillwater, MN, LHP Isaac Benesh, St. Cloud, MN, LHP Chad Fox, Fridley, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Spencer Wright, Winona, MN, RHP/SS Justin Baehler, Mineral Point, WI, C Ben Clapp, Maple Lake, MN, C
Coach Threlkeld on Wood Ducks pitching in 2021: "We return 3 of our 4 rotation guys from a year ago in LHP's David VanOrt and Issac Benesh, and RHP Chad Fox. We are excited for some of the freshmen arms that Coach Nesbitt added through recruiting." Coach Threlkeld on his Wood Ducks offense in 2021: "We have a lot of new guys that we are excited about but are untested. We will rely on the leadership of returners Brenden McKevitt, Matt Nunn, and Carter Shook to help lead a talented young group." Coach Threlkeld on his Wood Ducks squad: "We are excited for our first full season in the conference!" |
||
MCAC South No. 2Riverland Community College
|
Head Coach: Derek Hahn, 2nd year at Riverland Community College Overall Record: 36-15 Coaching Staff: Andrew Kaiser, Assistant Coach; Kevin Juenger, Pitching Coach Top returning players: Ixander Colon, Toa Alta, PR, OF Hayden Siebers, Loveland, CO, INF/P Maxwell Schumacher, Danville, IN, P Andrew Wedwick, Viroqua, WI, OF Paxton Nelson, Spicer, MN, OF Jose Lopez, Santo Domingo, DR, INF/P Top incoming/new players: Drew Copley, Grand Meadow, MN, UTL/P Anthony Ciola, Austin, MN, INF/P Jake Bryant, Fargo, ND, INF/P
Coach Hahn on Blue Devils pitching for the 2021 season: "Several quality arms if we stay healthy. Most of our staff has college experience under their belt. New faces will be relied upon heavily to make an impact in midweek starts and relief roles." Coach Hahn on his Blue Devils offense in the 2021 season: "Solid group of veteran outfielders that have had success in previous years. Good balance of speed, power, and ability to hit for a high average. We have good depth at all infield positions. Should be able to score some runs." Coach Hahn on his Blue Devils squad: "Without a spring trip this year, we will need to identify roles quickly to have success in the divisional games."
|
||
MCAC South No. 3Rochester Community and Technical College
(Above - Gabe Sepulveda, SB/C)
(Right - Drew Simmons, RHP) |
Head Coach: Clark Jones, 2nd year at Rochester Community and Technical College Overall Record: 283-283-2 Coaching Staff: Dave Adams, Hitting Coach; Brad Pfeffer, Pitching Coach; Doug Lee, Bench Coach/Outfielders Coach Top returning players: Drew Simmons, Stewartville, MN, RHP T Mickelson, Rochester, MN, RHP Paxton Gravlin, Truman, MN, LHP Trenton Dahnert, Stewartville, MN, OF Ryan Roby, Farmington, MN, RHP/DH Top incoming/new players: Gabe Sepulveda, Conroe, TX, 3B/C Cole Outlaw, Cypress, TX, SS/RHP Cade Hinkle, Pierre, SD, C
Coach Jones on Yellowjacket pitching in the 2021 season: "One of the deepest staffs I've had in recent years." Coach Jones on his Yellowjacket offense in the 2021 season: "This year's bunch will be an opportunistic bunch. If we put the ball in play, we'll be tough to defend." Coach Jones on his Yellowjacket squad: "Tremendous group of young men with great leadership throughout. A joy to coach!"
|
||
MCAC South No. 4Anoka-Ramsey Community College
|
Head Coach: Jason Saulsbury, 5th year at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Overall Record: 38-66 Coaching Staff: CT Harris, Pitching Coach; Steve Janske, Assistant Coach; Jon Harris, Assistant Coach Top returning players: Brandon Watkins, Kenosha, WI, OF Dan Foley, Mounds View, MN, P/OF Trevor Adams, Baraboo, WI, OF Zach Ziesmer, De Pere, WI, IB Brayden Buttweiler, Las Vegas, NV, LHP/OF Top incoming/new players: Hunter Smith, Anoka, MN, SS/RHP Patrick Perreault, Blaine, MN, 3B/OF Kyler Stuart, St. George, UT, RHP/OF
Coach Saulsbury on Golden Ram pitching for the 2021 season: "We are really excited about the depth we have with the pitching staff. It will be led by returning left handed pitchers Dan Foley and Brayden Buttweiler." Coach Saulsbury on the Golden Ram offense for the 2021 season: "Led by sophomore CF captain Brandon Watkins, we feel we have the right amount of experience returning to match the new players in the program. The depth and versatility we have on this team is the best we have seen in many years." Coach Saulsbury on his Golden Ram squad: "Should be a solid team throughout the lineup. With the depth and versatility I mentioned before, we have a lot of pieces that could move around without seeing any gaps." |
(Ixander Colon, OF )
(Hayden Siebers, P/INF) 
|
|
Minnesota College Athletic Conference2021 Central Division Baseball Poll & Preview
|
||
MCAC Central No. 1St. Cloud Technical & Community College
|
Head Coach: Jason Fischer, 10th season at SCTCC Overall Record: 277-66 Coaching Staff: David Kroger Jr., Pitching Coach; Mitch Delfino, Hitting Coach; Joe Dempsey, Catchers Coach; Brent Pakkala, OF Coach; and Matt Pichelman, Recruiting Coordinator Top returning players: Erik Holloman, Mounds View, MN, SS Will Funk, Sauk Centre, MN, CF Drew Beier, Foley, MN, RF Tanner Blommer, St. Cloud, MN, P Brandon Puig, Miami, FL, C Top incoming/new players: Dylan Haskamp, Sauk Centre, MN, 2B/P Marcus Cantu, Corpus Christi, TX, 1B Grady Fuchs, Painesville, MN, P
Coach Fischer on Cyclone pitching in the 2021 season: "We will be deep but young on the mound. If the freshmen develop, we should be fine." Coach Fischer on his Cyclone offense in the 2021 season: "We hope to score runs. We have a good mixture of speed and power throughout." Coach Fischer on his Cyclone squad: "We return a lot of guys who could have moved on. They decided they did not want COVID to dictate their careers."
|
||
MCAC Central No. 2Central Lakes College
(Left - Jake Kapphahn, SS/LHP; and Preston Rocheleau, 2B/RHP on the right) |
Head Coach: Brian Voigt, 5th season at Central Lakes College Overall Record: 38-94 Coaching Staff: Skylar Mursu, Pitching Coach; Andrew Cresci, Hitting Coach Top returning players: Jake Kapphahn, Little Falls, MN, SS/RHP Preston Rocheleau, Pierz, MN, 2B/RHP Phillip Zynda, Austin, MN, C/1B Jonathan Lerma, Tucson, AZ, LHP Eric Martin, Brainerd, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Kyle Baker, Benson, AZ, 3B/RHP Gunnar Wickland, Brainerd, MN, C/1B Adam Braun, Buffalo, MN, OF
Coach Voigt on Raiders pitching in the 2021 season: "We have some good depth that is led by a few returners in Preston Rocheleau, Jonathan Lerma, and Eric Martin. The freshmen pitchers have looked very strong during preseason workouts." Coach Voigt on his Raiders offense in the 2021 season: "We return our middle of the order that has done very well for us. The incoming guys add some depth that will make for a fun lineup to watch." Coach Voigt on his Raiders squad: "We are looking forward to being on the field again after having last season shut down."
|
||
MCAC Central No. 3Minnesota State - Fergus Falls
|
Head Coach: Grant Harding, 1st year at Minnesota State – Fergus Falls Overall record: 0-0 Top returning players: Justin Dykhoff, Wadena, MN, P/IF Dane Schwirtz, Plato, MN, SS Austin Oetter, Omaha, NE, IF Top incoming/new players: Will Hoernemann, Hamburg, MN, P
Coach Harding on the Spartans pitching in the 2021 season: "We are looking forward to seeing Justin Dykhoff on the mound. We need some young guys to fill in out of the bullpen." Coach Harding on the Spartans offense in the 2021 season: "We feel really good about the bats in our lineup. Austin Oetter and Dane Schwirtz should be a solid one-two punch."
|
||
MCAC Central No. 4Northland Community and Technical College
|
Head Coach: Sam Schumacher, 4th year at Northland Coaching Staff: Clarke Peterson, Pitching and Catching Coach; Terry Wiseth, Bench Coach Top returning players: Brett Fetting, Ada, MN, SS Christian Rodriguez, Coral Springs, FL, 1B Vince Spicuzza, Port St. Lucie, FL, RHP Agustin Sanchez, Denver, CO, LHP/OF Top incoming/new players: Hunter Yutrenzka, Stephen, MN INF/RHP Colby Wooten, Alpine, TX, UTL Preston Gookin, Oakdale, CA, C
Coach Schumacher on Pioneers pitching for the 2021 season: "We return a large portion of our pitching staff from last season. Vince Spicuzza, Jojo Lopez, Adam Berg, Agustin Sanchez, Keaden Kempert, and Mel Robertson all bring a lot of experience to our pitching staff. They get outs in a variety of different ways. We also have a variety of freshmen arms that will be counted on to contribute. We like the work ethic of this group a lot." Coach Schumacher on the Pioneers offense for the 2021 season: "We have a chance to put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses with our speed and athleticism. Players like Fetting and Montilla have tremendous speed and base running ability. Christian Rodriguez, Colby Wooten, and Hunter Yutrenzka will be depended on to be consistent run producers for the offense. We really like our options at catcher as well. Three guys that bring everything that you need from the position." Coach Schumacher on his Pioneers squad: "I like where our team is at right now. I also know we have a long way to go in terms of development to get to where we want to be. This group has a great attitude and work ethic. They show up every day eager to get better."
|
(Dylan Haskamp, 2B/P)
(Erik Holloman, SS)
|
|
Minnesota College Athletic Conference2021 Northern Division Baseball Poll & Preview
|
||
MCAC North No. 1Itasca Community College
(Left - Dawson Stevens, 1B; Right - Joshua Lee, C) |
Head Coach: Justin Lamppa, 24 years at Itasca CC Overall Record: 626-383 Coaching Staff: Chris Brown, Pitching Coach; Jon Olson, Assistant Coach Top returning players: Dawson Stevens, Perham, MN, 1B Joshua Grimmer, Hudson, FL, SS Joshua Lee, Lakeville, MN, C David Morales, Spring, TX, 3B Top incoming/new players: Cade Marquardt, Litchfield, MN, C Daniel Wensloff, Roseau, MN, OF Alex Mcbride, Grand Rapids, MN, 2B
Coach Lamppa on the Vikings pitching for the 2021 season: "We have an all new pitching staff and should get better as the season moves along." Coach Lamppa on his Vikings offense in 2021: "We will have some power in the middle of the line-up and be able to run up top." Coach Lamppa on his Vikings squad: "With so many new faces, it will be fun to watch us grow as a team." |
||
MCAC North No. 2Vermilion Community College
|
Head Coach: Tom Coombe, 4th year at Vermilion Community College Overall Record: 19-51 Coaching Staff: Jack Roddy, Assistant Coach; Mike Pope, Assistant Coach; Nick Pecha, Assistant Coach Top returning players: Ryan Kling, New Richmond, WI, P/SS Terron Sugita, Anchorage, AK, 3B/P Jonathan Leon, Belle Glade, FL, SS/3B Alan Justin, Holdingford, MN, P Max Glausen, Warroad, MN, 1B Cameron Peterson, Callahan, FL, P/OF Top incoming/new players: Jakob Wiirre, Titusville, FL, P/OF/SS Steven Peterson, Bemidji, MN, P/OF Jacob Worley, Ocoee, FL, 1B/P Coach Coombe on the Ironmen pitching in 2021: "Our pitching staff is much deeper than it has been. Kling had two very good starts before things were shut down last year, and Justin, Sugita, and Cameron Peterson are all capable of pitching well in our league. We've added several new arms, most notably Jakob Wiirre, Jacob Worley and Steven Peterson, so we should stack up well over the course of a four-game series." Coach Coombe on his Ironmen offense in 2021: "We'll need to hit better in order to contend and we're still trying to figure out our lineup. It will be a mix of second-year and first-year guys, with Sugita, Jonathan Leon and Max Gausen among the second-year guys back who we are looking to for leadership." Coach Coombe on his Ironmen squad: "We're excited to be playing baseball, and it's a much bigger roster than we've usually had, with 28 guys competing for spots. That competition within the team should make us better."
|
||
MCAC North No. 3Hibbing Community College
|
Head Coach: Bob DeNucci, 2nd year at Hibbing Community College Top returning players: JD Cunningham, Bountiful, UT, RHP Colton Cobb, Huntsville, AL, C Hunter Herpel, Mayville, WI, OF Robert Rodriguez, Splendora, TX, 1B Top incoming/new players: Cory Wolters, Hastings, MN, RHP/OF Yadied Baez, Cayey, PR, 2B Sean Bonner, Houston, TX, C
Coach DeNucci on Cardinal pitching in 2021: "With 14 pitchers, we will need to find out in the nonconference who can be consistent to establish a rotation." Coach DeNucci on his Cardinal offense in 2021: "We return Robert Rodriguez, Hunter Herpel, and Cole Cobb who all are proven hitters at this level. The incoming players provide a nice mix of speed and power." Coach DeNucci on his Cardinal squad: "A tough conference schedule should provide us an opportunity to get ready to play in what I think will be a really good Northern Division this year."
|
||
MCAC North No. 4Rainy River Community College
|
Head Coach: Josh Koenig, 12th year at Rainy River Overall Record: 166-226 Coaching Staff: Matt Buller, Assistant Coach; Riley Acra, Assistant Coach Top returning & incoming players: Esteban Ruelas, Tucson, AZ, LHP Emilio Gonzalez, Tucson, AZ, RHP Brandon Renick, Lakeville, MN, IF John Hudson, Tucson, AZ, C Tucker Hauschen, Hudson, FL, OF Top incoming/new players: Julian De Alva, Oro Valley, AZ, IF John-Michael Gonzalez, Tucson, AZ, OF Mateo Sierras, Tucson, AZ, IF/RHP/C
Coach Koenig on the Voyageurs pitching in 2021: "We return a couple of pitchers that have some solid experience from last year. We will be relying on them to guide our young pitching staff that is eager to gain college experience." Coach Koenig on the Voyageurs offense in 2021: "We have a young group of developing players that we are excited to see what they can do this season." Coach Koenig on his Voyageurs squad: "After having a COVID shortened season last year, we are all excited to get on the field again. We look forward to seeing what this young group of players can do and how they will work together to achieve our team goals this season."
|
||
MCAC North No. 5Mesabi Range College
(Left - Blake Warner, SS; Right - Noah Paulseth, C/3B) |
Head Coach: Chris Vito, 5th year at Mesabi Range College Overall Record: 29-82 Coaching Staff: Dave Kunz, Assistant Coach; Devin Mayry, Assistant Coach Top returning players: Blake Warner, Hastings, MN, SS Noah Paulseth, Apple Valley, MN, C/3B Konrad Kisch, Osseo, MN, P/3B Trent Braaten, Hoyt Lakes, MN, 2B Top incoming/new players: Dawson Tweet, Russell, Manitoba, IF/C Ryan Hujanen, Virginia, MN, P Gabriel Soto, Tucson, AZ, IF/P
Coach Vito on the Norsemen pitching in 2021: "I expect Konrad Kisch to be the leader of our staff but I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest can do." Coach Vito on his Norsemen offense in 2021: "I feel we have nice potential on offense with decent team speed." Coach Vito on his Norsemen squad: "Looking forward to the season!" |
(Vermilion will have great competition at each position.) 
(A deep pitching staff should help the Ironmen compete for a division championship.) 
(JD Cunningham, RHP) 
(Yadied Baez, 2B) 
(Esteban Ruelas, LHP) 
(Emilio Gonzalez, RHP) 
This release sponsored by:
|
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.