Rochester, MN-
Baseball teams from around the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) have returned from spring trips and are preparing to begin their divisional contests. Coaches took time to share their thoughts and predictions for the 2022 season.
Minnesota College Athletic Conference Baseball competes at the NJCAA Division III level and is divided into a Northern, Central, and Southern division.
South Division coaches selected Century College as the likely team to finish atop the division. With a veteran squad returning and a tough early season schedule to prepare the younger players, Century looks to defend their South Division title from 2021. In the Central Division, St. Cloud Technical & Community College was chosen as the top team. Returning their entire starting pitching rotation and four starting position players from 2021, the Cyclones are expected to retain their Central Division crown. Itasca Community College was picked as the clear favorite to win the North Division behind the leadership of their 13 sophomores.
MCAC Baseball will see new coaches in Matthew Erzar, taking over the Century College program; Joe Kinley, leading the Minnesota West Community & Technical College team; and Rich Loomis, coaching the Northland Community & Technical College program. Justin Lamppa (Itasca Community College – 25 years) and Josh Koenig (Rainy River Community College – 13 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 Conference2022 Baseball Poll & PreviewSouth Division
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MCAC South No. 1 Century College
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Head Coach: Matthew Erzar, 1 year with Century College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Bret Mitchell, pitching coach; Kevin Nunn, hitting coach; Dana Kiecker, bench coach Top returning players: Blake Gulden, Wayzata, MN, LHP Justin Beahler, Mineral Point, WI, 1B/C Ben Clapp, Maple Lake, MN, 3B/C Chris Jacobs, Wayzata, MN, OF Xander Paar, Coon Rapids, MN, INF Top incoming/new players: Leo Bustos, Mahtomedi, MN, RHP AJ McMahon, Maplewood, MN, INF/C Dylan Immel, Lomira, WI, RHP Comments from Coach Erzar: "A tough schedule early should help later in the season."
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MCAC South No. 2 Riverland Community College
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Head Coach: Derek Hahn, 4 years at Riverland Community College Overall Record: 63-30 Coaching Staff: Andrew Kaiser, assistant coach; Kevin Juenger, assistant coach; Aramis Laureano, pitching coach Top returning players: Maxwell Schumacher, Danville, IN, RHP Drew Copley, Grand Meadow, MN, UTL/RHP Ixander Colon, Toa Alta, PR, CF Jose Lopez, Santo Domingo Este, DR, 3B/RHP Jeremy Vega, San Juan, PR, UTL Top incoming/new players: Jared Grams, Mankato, MN, INF/RHP Evan Hubatch, Viroqua, WI, C Jeremy Portela, Ocala, FL, OF Comments from Coach Hahn: "Several quality arms if we can stay healthy. Most of our staff has college experience under their belt. Offensively, we have a good balance of speed, power, and ability to hit for a high average. Should be able to score some runs."
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MCAC South No. 3 Rochester Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Clark Jones, 3 years at Rochester Community & Technical College Overall Record: 34-23-1 Coaching Staff: Dave Adams, hitting coach; Bo McClintock, infield coach/strength & conditioning; Doug Lee, outfield coach; Kyle Jansma, graduate assistant coach Top returning players: T Mickelson, Rochester, MN, RHP Gabe Sepulveda, Conroe, TX, 3B Drew Simmons, Stewartville, MN, RHP Izaak Stevens, Plainview, MN, 1B Blake Schilling, Lewiston, MN, CF Top incoming/new players: Gustavo Gonzalez, Sarasota, FL, SS Will Pacheco, Sarasota, FL, 2B Sean Connolly, Brighton, CO, C Comments from Coach Jones: "I've been in collegiate baseball for 26 years, and this is the fastest baseball team I've ever coached. This team should be able to put a lot of pressure on our opponents this year."
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MCAC South No. 4 Western Technical College
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Head Coach: Josh Knoll, 6 years at Western Technical College Overall Record: 15-50 Coaching Staff: Tyler Moua, catching coach; Damian Wiblin, pitching coach; Hunter Davis, volunteer assistant coach; Matt Gillbertson, infield coach Top returning players: Dale Bratz, Carstairs, AB, INF Lucas Gosewehr, Grafton, WI, OF Tyler Vaughan, Sussex, WI, OF Logan Schreiner, Marshfield, WI, RHP Kole Kerkhoff, Madison, WI, RHP Top incoming/new players: Casey Greenlee, Norwalk, IA, 1B/RHP Hunter Vikemyr, Viroqua, WI, OF/RHP Bryce Butterfield, North Platte, NE, OF/RHP Comments from Coach Knoll: "With the program playing for the first time in 2 years, there are a lot of expectations, a lot of energy for the season, and a lot of new faces from the last time Western has played."
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MCAC South No. 5 Minnesota West Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Joe Kinley, 1 year at Minnesota West Community & Technical College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Nic LaPorta, pitching coach Top returning players: Ben Leal, Newton, IA, OF/RHP Miguel Garcia, Naguabo, PR, OF Rodrigo Santa, Trujillo Alto, PR, SS/2B Top incoming/new players: Jobeth Diaz, Ceiba, PR, 1B Jaxson Smith-Peterson, Victoria, BC, RHP Comments from Coach Kinley: "We have a new indoor facility."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2022 Baseball Poll & PreviewCentral Division
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MCAC Central No. 1 St. Cloud Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: David Kroger, 3 years at St. Cloud Technical & Community College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Mitch Delfino, hitting coach; Mitch Thompson, catching coach; Joey Stock, pitching coach, Grant Ludwig, volunteer assistant coach Top returning players: Dylan Haskamp, Sauk Centre, MN, 2B/RHP Drew Beier, Foley, MN, SS/3B/RHP Jackson Peter, Elrosa, MN, 3B/OF/RHP Mike Solis, Corpus Christi, TX, C Frank Fernandez, Miami, FL, 1B Top incoming/new players: Brady Linn, Cold Spring, MN, OF/LHP Jake Avdem, Pekin, ND, LHP Austin Kantola, Cokato, MN, C/1B Comments from Coach Kroger: "We're starting our season off with a seven game DI junior college road trip against Indian Hills CC and Southwestern CC, followed by a 4-game series against D2 DCTC. Our whole starting pitching rotation is returning, as well as 4 starting position players from last season."
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MCAC Central No. 2 Central Lakes College
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Head Coach: Brian Voigt, 6 years at Central Lakes College Overall Record: 52-108 Coaching Staff: Ian Wilson, assistant coach; Alex Guggisberg, assistant coach; Skylar Mursu, assistant coach Top returning players: Gunnar Wickland, Brainerd, MN, C/1B Eli Roberts, Brainerd, MN, OF Kyle Baker, Benson, AZ, INF/RHP Adam Braun, Buffalo, MN, OF Mason Argir, Brainerd, MN, OF/LHP Nolan Notch, St. Augusta, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Derin Gaudette, New York Mills, MN, RHP/INF Erubiel Ozuna, Casa Grande, AZ, OF Erik Bungum, Hayfield, MN, INF Noah Cekalla, Pierz, MN, RHP/C Comments from Coach Voigt: "We return a good portion of our offense that played a big role for us last year. Our pitching will be led by a couple of returners and have some talented freshmen that are ready to carry the innings load."
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MCAC Central No. 3 Anoka-Ramsey Community College
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Head Coach: Jason Saulsbury, 6 years at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Overall Record: 51-89 Coaching Staff: CT Harris, pitching coach; Steve Janske, assistant coach; Jon Harris, volunteer assistant coach; Robb Belschner, volunteer assistant coach Top returning players: Brayden Buttweiler, Las Vegas, NV, LHP Mike Schroer, Kenosha, WI, C Patrick Perreault, Blaine, MN, 3B Zach Zeismer, DePere, WI, 1B Benji Bruce, Andover, MN, SS/RHP Top incoming/new players: Blake Ramberg, Elk River, MN, OF Josh Stoll, Andover, MN, RHP Landon Seibel, Port Angeles, WA, 3B Comments from Coach Saulsbury: "Offensively the Golden Rams should have a good mix of returning players and incoming freshmen that will produce. Middle infield play should be drastically improved, where we need to make the routine play routinely. Outfield play will be consistent. Pitching-wise we will have to consistently pitch ahead in counts, execute location, and change speeds in order to have success."
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MCAC Central No. 4 Minnesota State Community & Technical College - Fergus Falls
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Head Coach: Grant Harding, 2 years at Minnesota State Community & Technical College – Fergus Falls Overall record: 17-22 Coaching Staff: None Top returning players: Christian Norby, Ashby, MN, P/OF Ty Kargar, Park Rapids, MN, P/OF Will Hoernemann, Hamburg, MN, P Wyatt Halvorson, Haydenville, MN, P Top incoming/new players: Mike Short, Middle Sackville, NS, INF Cal Schmitz, Sliver Creek, MN, C Brock Depute, Mohall, ND, P/UTL Comments from Coach Harding: "We should have a lot of experience back on the mound and at the plate. Our big question mark will be on defense. We are excited to play in Florida and start our season."
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MCAC Central No. 5 Ridgewater College
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Head Coach: Tyler Hebrink, 3 years at Ridgewater College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Shawn Dollerschell, assistant coach; Adam Schrader, pitching coach Top returning players: Tyler Traphagen, Aberdeen, SD, OF Top incoming/new players: Tyler Flis, Bloomington, MN, C Brad Bickmann, Howard Lake, MN, 3B/P Reece Schwirtz, Plato, MN, CF/P Seth Resnick, Woodstock, GA, C/1B Comments from Coach Hebrink: "We have a completely new roster so we're excited to see how we react when the season starts. Offense is going to be a strong point for us, and if we can throw strikes and minimize mistakes, then we should be right where we want to be."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2022 Baseball Poll & PreviewNorth Division
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MCAC North No. 1 Itasca Community College
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Head Coach: Justin Lamppa, 25 years at Itasca Community College Overall Record: 626-383 Coaching Staff: Chris Brown, pitching coach; John Olson, first base coach; Mike Gebart, bench coach Top returning players: Dawson Stevens, Perham, MN, 1B/P Cade Marquardt, Litchfield, MN, C/OF Daniel Wensloff, Roseau, MN, OF/P Riley Resnick, Twin Valley, MN, 1B/P Jack Dommeyer, Cannon Falls, MN, 1B Top incoming/new players: Kodi Miller, Grand Rapids, MN, C/OF Avery Lietsman, Litchfield, MN, P/SS Jackson Bonneville, Ashland, WI, SS Comments from Coach Lamppa: "With 13 sophomores, we should have good leadership."
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MCAC North No. 2 Vermilion Community College
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Head Coach: Tom Coombe, 5 years at Vermilion Community College Overall Record: 38-57 Coaching Staff: Cody Leslie, assistant coach; Mike Pope, assistant coach Top returning players: Ryan Kling, New Richmond, WI, P/SS Jacob Worley, Ocoee, FL, P/1B/RF Terron Sugita, Anchorage, AK, 3B/1B Graham Porter, Portland, OR, C/OF Cameron Peterson, Callahan, FL, CF/P Top incoming/new players: Dillon Eden, Elko, NV, P/OF Zach Cheney, Cook, MN, SS/3B/P Michael Feralio, Billings, MT, 1B Comments from Coach Coombe: "We believe we have a solid nucleus back from a team that won 20 games last spring and reached the regional playoffs. That core includes a couple of solid starting pitchers and five of our top seven hitters. If our freshmen can step in and contribute, we hope to contend again in the division and for a regional playoff berth. Pitching depth and defense will be two keys to our season."
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MCAC North No. 3 Rainy River Community College
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Head Coach: Josh Koenig, 13 years at Rainy River Community College Overall Record: 181-252 Coaching Staff: Matt Buller, assistant coach; Riley Acra, assistant coach; T.D. Hostikka, assistant coach Top returning & incoming players: John Michael Gonzalez, Tucson, AZ, OF Emilio Gonzalez, Tucson, AZ, RHP Mateo Sierras, Tucson, AZ, INF/RHP/C Kenyata Diamond, Arizona City, AZ, INF/OF Jean Rivera, Ruskin, FL, INF/OF/RHP Top incoming/new players: Macray Ellis, Moab, UT, INF/RHP Ethan Bergen, Phoenix, AZ, OF/LHP Juan Alcoverde, Tucson, AZ, RHP Comments from Coach Koenig: "We are looking forward to a fun and exciting season with a solid group of returning players as well as a nice group of new players that will work together to defend their 2021 MCAC North Division Championship."
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MCAC North No. 4 Hibbing Community College
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Head Coach: Bob DeNucci, 3 years at Hibbing Community College Overall Record: 14-34 Coaching Staff: None Top returning players: Hunter Herpel, Mayville, WI, OF Robert Rodriguez, Splendora, TX, 1B Carter Pickard, Fort Wayne, IN, 3B Ryan Vondracek, Cedar Rapids, IA, LHP Ariel Gonzalez, Guaynabo, PR, SS Top incoming/new players: Diego Escamilla, Aguascalientes, MX, C Zeke Walton, Olivia, MN, RHP/OF Noah Vilarreal, Bonner Springs, KS, INF Comments from Coach DeNucci: "We return two All-Region players in Herpel and Rodriguez but will need to improve on the pitching side of things to compete in an evolving Northern Division."
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MCAC North No. 5 Mesabi Range College
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Head Coach: Chris Vito, 6 years at Mesabi Range College Overall Record: 36-107 Coaching Staff: Dave Kunz, assistant coach; Tom Norman, assistant coach; Jesse Bennett, administrative assistant; Brad Kern, athletic trainer Top returning players: Dawson Tweet, Russell, Manitoba, 2B/C Jackson Bode, Courtland, MN, C/SS Gabriel Soto, Tucson, AZ, RHP/IF Max Grundhofer, Cologne, MN, 1B/C Cole Meyer, Hoyt Lakes, MN, OF Top incoming/new players: Brandon Lind, Iron, MN, LHP/OF/1B Nick Peters, Britt, MN, SS Tom Nemanich, Eveleth, MN, 1B/RHP Comments from Coach Vito: "We are excited to build off the momentum from last season. We are looking to finish the close games and are excited about our sophomore leadership."
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MCAC North No. 6 Northland Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Rich Loomis, 1 year at Northland Community & Technical College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Easton Lopez, assistant coach; Terry Wiseth, volunteer assistant coach Top returning players: Carter Anderson, Petersburg, ND, P Aaron Bruggeman, Thief River Falls, MN, OF Joseph Lopez, San Antonio, TX, P Mel Robertson, Augusta, GA, P Fred Landman, Red Lake Falls, MN, OF Top incoming/new players: Abel Rodriguez, Los Fresnos, TX, INF Keaden Kempert, Thief River Falls, MN, INF Humberto Montemayor, San Antonio, TX, P
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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.