Rochester, MN-
With the spring's pleasant temperatures upon Minnesota, baseball games have begun early throughout the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC). As the conference season nears, the MCAC head baseball coaches took time to share their thoughts and predictions for the 2024 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 again this season. Century went 34-16 in 2023 with an MCAC South Division title and a 13-3 record. With many new players on the roster in 2024, the Wood Ducks may be challenged early but should be playing in the postseason again this season. In the Central Division, Alexandria Technical & Community College narrowly beat out St. Cloud Technical & Community College as the predicted favorite to win the title. Returning nearly their entire team from last season that saw the Legends finish as the 2023 Region 13 runner-up in their inaugural season of competition, Alexandria should better their 23-10 record, and they look to capture the Region 13 title in 2024. Itasca Community College was picked as the favorite again this season to win the North Division. With the return of 13 experienced sophomores who have demonstrated strong leadership, the Vikings are planning a repeat of 2023 when they won the North Division title. Their 25-18 record from 2023 should be improved upon this season, and a deep run in the postseason is predicted.
For the 2024 season, Northland Community and Technical College will be the lone college with a first-year skipper. Jonathan Lund takes over the Pioneer program, and with the return of several sophomores to lead the way, Lund should have success in his first season. Justin Lamppa (Minnesota North College Itasca – 27 years) and Josh Koenig (Minnesota North College Rainy River – 15 years) are the most tenured coaches in the conference and the only coaches to have been with their current college for over a decade.
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 Conference2024 Baseball Season Preview & Coaches PollSouth Division
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MCAC South No. 1 Century College
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Head Coach: Matthew Erzar, 3 years with Century College Overall Record: 64-32 Coaching Staff: Kevin Nunn, hitting coach; Brendan Knoll, pitching coach; Matt Nunn, assistant coach; Kolin Williams, assistant coach; Kirby Pieri, assistant coach; Dana Kiecker, assistant coach; and Jennifer Reddy, athletic trainer Top returning players: Cole Bakkum, Eau Claire, WI, RHP/1B Dom Vogel, Farmington, MN, C/OF Porter Jorgenson, Thunder Bay, ON, IF Jake Schmidt, Gaylord, MN, LHP Top incoming/new players: Seth Luther, Victoria, MN, RHP Seth Tierney, Eden Prairie, MN, 1B Seth Nelson, Mahtomedi, MN, IF Comments from Coach Erzar: "We will have a bunch of new faces in our rotations and line-up. Returning and newcomers are expected to contribute."
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MCAC South No. 2 (Tied) Rochester Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Clark Jones, 5 years at Rochester Community & Technical College Overall Record: 84-64 Coaching Staff: Dave Adams, hitting coach; Matteo Finocchi, pitching coach; and Doug Lee, outfield coach Top returning players: Rees Campanale, Orlando, FL, CF/RHP Griffin Olson, Viroqua, WI, SS Logan O'Hara, Blue Earth, MN Clement Febus, Sarasota, FL, RHP/OF Luis Rodriguez, Caomo, PR, RHP/3B Top incoming/new players: Augusto Mungarrieta, Valencia, Venezuela, C/DH Ramon Teran, Barquisemeto, Venezuela, 2B/3B Teagun Ahrens, Owatonna, MN, LHP/OF Comments from Coach Jones: "I am excited about this team. With the majority of our starters back and some talented incoming freshmen, it should make for an exciting year."
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MCAC South No. 2 (Tied) Riverland Community College
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Head Coach: Derek Hahn, 6 years at Riverland Community College Overall Record: 120-66 Coaching Staff: Cameron Madsen and Kevin Juenger Top returning players: Joshua Fernandez, San Lorenzo, PR, OF Asahi Sato, Urayasa, Chiba, Japan, RHP Jeremy Vega, San Juan, PR, C/1B Taiko Ishikawa, Toin, Mie, Japan, UTL Jeremy Portela, Ocala, FL, OF Top incoming/new players: Alberto Rigual, Miami, FL, UTL/RHP Carter McQuery, Waseca, MN, RHP/UTL Evan Lenz, Adrian, MN, INF/RHP 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, 6 years at Western Technical College Overall Record: 39-98 Coaching Staff: Tyler Moua, hitting coach; Jake Hurley, infield coach; Matt Gilbertson, infield coach; Josh Laube, outfield coach; and Logan Schriener, bullpen coach Top returning players: Ace Padilla, Castle Rock, CO, INF Aden McClusky, Prairie Du Chen, INF/P Austin Moore, Red Deer, AB, OF Payton Danen, Howards Grove, WI, C/P Jimmy Siggens, Somerset, WI, INF Top incoming/new players: Hunter Guenther, Gilmanton, WI, RHP/INF Pablo Soto, Higley, AZ, C Frank Fabian, Westminister, CO, P/UTL Comments from Coach Knoll: "New facility partnership with Logan High School and a strong freshman class for the future."
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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: 12-49 Coaching Staff: Ethan Dillingham, pitching coach; Jake Olson, catching coach; and Octavio Jimenez, assistant coach Top returning players: Robert Reyes, SS/RHP Fernando Marte, OF Axell Espino, OF/1B/LHP Daniel Castro, C Ian Scherbring, LHP Top incoming/new players: Joe Zhu, 3B/RHP Ridge Inhofer, OF/C Triston Sauerbrei, RHP Comments from Coach Kinley: "We are looking strong and are very excited to head to AZ this spring."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2024 Baseball Season Preview & Coaches PollCentral Division
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MCAC Central No. 1 Alexandria Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: Jason Fischer, 2 years at Alexandria College Overall Record: 23-10 Coaching Staff: Brent Pakkala, outfield coach/analytics; Alex Jinkins, hitting/catching coach; and Brandon Hill, pitching coach Top returning players: Levi Lampert, Upsala, MN, OF/P Lucas Bergum, Mandan, ND, P Jalen Vorpahl, Sartell, MN, LHP Brady Goebel, Albany, MN, 1B Chuck Hackett, Foley, MN, 3B/P Top incoming/new players: Jaxon Schoenrock, Alexandria, MN, P Tori Helget, Springfield, MN, UTL/P Devin Gutierriz, Corpus Christi, TX, UTL/P Comments from Coach Fischer: "Last year, we had 33 freshmen and one sophomore on a regional runner-up team. We only lost one player with significant playing time, who was a sophomore. We bring everyone else back and have added a lot of talent with incoming freshmen and transfers. This will be the best pitching staff I have ever had. We have 13 players who have topped 85 mph plus, including three players who have topped 90 mph. We will be very deep throughout. If we can stay healthy and compete every day, we will be a tough out."
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MCAC Central No. 2 St. Cloud Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: David Kroger, 3 years at St. Cloud Technical & Community College Overall Record: 51-25 Coaching Staff: Mitch Delfino, hitting coach Top returning players: Sam Holthaus, St. Cloud, MN, 1B/OF Brock Woitalla, Monticello, MN, SS/RHP Cayden Hansen, Willmar, MN, UTL/RHP Blaine Fischer, Elrosa, MN, C Brooks Asche, Raymond, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Terrence Moody, Sauk Rapids, MN, RHP/INF Hayden Frank, St. Michael, MN, LHP/OF Kinnick Christensen, State Center, IA, INF Comments from Coach Kroger: "Excited to compete for our 4th straight Region 13 title. We will play a tough schedule to start, facing off against Division 1 and 2 teams and coming back to tough MCAC Central Division play. Returning a large number of players that contributed in pitching, defense, and hitting last season."
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MCAC Central No. 3 Ridgewater College
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Head Coach: Tyler Hebrink, 3 years at Ridgewater College Overall Record: 29-34 Coaching Staff: Shawn Dollerschell, assistant coach; and Adam Schrader, pitching coach Top returning players: Sam Etterman, Willmar, MN, RHP/OF Caden Lang, Glencoe, MN, C Tanner Olson, St. James, MN, 1B Top incoming/new players: Andrew Prieve, Hutchinson, MN, 3B Nolan Eischens, New Prague, MN, SS/RHP Luke Ruter, Spicer, MN, OF Comments from Coach Hebrink: "Looking forward to getting the season started with this group. They've been working hard all year and ready to compete."
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MCAC Central No. 4 Anoka-Ramsey Community College
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Head Coach: Jason Saulsbury, 8 years at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Overall Record: 66-133 Coaching Staff: Steve Janske, assistant coach; Jon Heath, pitching coach; and Noah Thompson, assistant coach Top returning players: Jake Contreras, Osseo, MN, 3B/RHP Matt Ramsdell, Mesa, AZ, SS Ramon Perez, Garland, TX, OF/P Antonio Barachy, Milwaukee, WI, OF/P Top incoming/new players: Craig Fierro, Reno, NV, RHP/3B Rice Whitaker, Omaha, NE, 2B/OF Grady Fredrick, Chippewa Falls, WI, C/P Comments from Coach Saulsbury: "Our roster size is deceptive due to the number of two-way players we have on the team. With 12 two-way players, the roster plays like a team of 30. We have depth at key positions and a ton of versatility throughout the roster. It is a gritty team that will battle every game from the first pitch until the last out. Defense should be solid, where strength up the middle will lead the charge."
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MCAC Central No. 5 Central Lakes College
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Head Coach: Blaine Hardy, 1 year at Central Lakes College Overall Record: 16-14 Coaching Staff: Ian Wilson, assistant coach Top returning players: Beau Lepel, Plato, MN, 3B Devin Waldorf, Kimball, MN, SS Jack Thorn, Becker, MN, 1B Gavin Gast, Moorhead, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Josh Kossan, Motley, MN, SS Zayden Smith, Rogers, MN, RHP Braxden Stewart, Cheyenne, WY, C Comments from Coach Hardy: "Our pitching and fielding kept us in the games we needed them to, and even after losing game one of three against Alex, the players fought until the final out in game three, and gave themselves a chance to move into the playoffs."
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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: 35-68 Coaching Staff: None Top returning players: Ben Monson, Solon Springs, WI, P/OF Eoghan Fischer, Richmond, BC, C Logan Pulju, Richville, MN, INF/P Top incoming/new players: Isaac Hamman, Bluffton, MN, P/OF Connor Davis, Wadena, MN, INF/P Comments from Coach Harding: "We are a young team with a big upside."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2024 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, 28 years at MNC - Itasca Overall Record: 691-440 Coaching Staff: Chris Brown, assistant coach; Mike Gebhart, assistant coach; Kurt Fenner, assistant coach; and Ashley Palmer, athletic trainer Top returning players: Layton Rivas, Port Richie, FL, CF Kole Paulsen, Lake Nebagamon, WI, C/P Carter Kalin, Superior, WI, C Gage Lund, Forest Lake, MN, 3B Brett Lucko, Winnipeg, Canada, 2B Top incoming/new players: Kollin Bonneville, Cloquet, MN, 3B Cooper Flaig, Roseau, MN, DH Garron Opsahl, Hermantown, MN, OF Comments from Coach Lamppa: "We have 13 sophomores with good leadership. New spring trip to the Ripken Experience."
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MCAC North No. 2 Minnesota North College - Vermilion
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Head Coach: Tom Coombe, 7 years at MNC - Vermilion Overall Record: 71-94 Coaching Staff: Mike Turnbull, assistant coach; and Mike Pope, assistant coach Top returning players: Mason Kostka, Eau Claire, WI, SS/3B DeSoto Hood, Bristol, FL, P/OF/INF Jake Palomo, Colorado Springs, CO, P Kelbee Woodham, Bonifay, FL, C/P Marcus Haire, San Antonio, TX, 3B/P Top incoming/new players: Will Thibodeau, Eau Claire, WI, 2B/SS Nick Berglund, Becker, MN, CF/P Chris Arambula, Wray, CO, SS/P/C Comments from Coach Coombe: "We return three of our four regular starting pitchers from last season's regional qualifying team in North All-Division players Jake Palomo and DeSoto Hood, as well as Jacob Mickelson. We also have several new arms and overall more pitching depth than we've had in previous seasons. Our lineup also has some experience, anchored by all-region infielder Mason Kostka (.370, 3 HR, 35 RBI as a freshman). Nick Berglund will be key to the top of our lineup and we'll look to guys like Kostka, Kelbee, Woodham, Chase Snyder, Marcus Haire, and others to drive in runs."
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MCAC North No. 3 Minnesota North College - Rainy River
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Head Coach: Josh Koenig, 15 years at MNC - Rainy River Overall Record: 218-292 Coaching Staff: Brandon Holbert, assistant coach; Phil Hindes, assistant coach; T.D. Hostikka, assistant coach; and Matt Buller, assistant coach Top returning & incoming players: Mathias Talarico, Brighton, CO, C Josue Franco Jr., Tucson, AZ, INF Kaleb Hubble, Marana, AZ, LHP Marcus Kreik, Boksburg, South Africa Garrett Schmitt, Denver, CO, C/OF/RHP Top incoming/new players: Ian Becker, Washington, UT, 1B Blaine Humbert, International Falls, MN, RHP Bradie Black, Tucson, AZ, INF Comments from Coach Koenig: "We have some solid experience in our returning sophomore class and a nice group of incoming freshmen. It will be nice to see what this group can accomplish when they work together."
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MCAC North No. 4 Minnesota North College - Hibbing
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No Team Information Provided |
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MCAC North No. 5 Northland Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Jonathan Lund, 1st year at Northland Community and Technical College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Cody Horn, assistant coach; Terry Wiseth, volunteer assistant coach; Devante Ryans, volunteer assistant coach; and Carlos Lugo, volunteer assistant coach Top returning & incoming players: Connor Hoyt, Jamestown, ND OF Odhan Manhas, Duncan, BC, INF/RHP Top incoming/new players: Justin Amesquita, San Antonio, TX, LHP/1B/OF Comments from Coach Lund: "We are looking to continue improving in every area from last year. Being my first season, it has been great to have plenty of sophomores leading the new changes to this program. It is going to start with us competing better on the mound along with playing good defense behind it. If we can reduce the number of runs given up compared to last season, we'll be in a great position to be successful."
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MCAC North No. 6 Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range
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Head Coach: Chris Vito, 8 years at MNC - Mesabi Range Overall Record: 52-156 Coaching Staff: Dave Kunz, assistant coach; Tom Norman, assistant coach; Breydan Carson, assistant coach; Jesse Bennett, statistician Top returning players: Will Bittmann, Iron, MN, RHP/1B Alex Yrjanson, Cloquet, MN, OF Josh Summers, Hermantown, MN, MIF Brodie Vining, Tucson, AZ, C Cameron Pietrusa, Hermantown, MN, OF Top incoming/new players: Colton Comstock, Mattoon, IL, RHP/3B Isiah Birt, Menomonie, WI, 3B/C Elijah Mack, Moorhead, MN, SS Comments from Coach Vito: N/A
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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.