Rochester, MN - The RCTC Yellowjackets played three non-conference games against MCAC opponents this past weekend as they geared up for the post-season. If the 2-1 mark over the three games is any indication the Jackets are ready to go. RCTC hosted MCAC power (and tournament host) St. Cloud on Saturday in a double-header, earning a split in the series. On Sunday the Jackets pounded out 21 hits in downing MN State- Fergus Falls.
RCTC and St. Cloud played two fantastic college basbell games with the Jackets wininng the opener 4-2 and the Cyclones winning the nightcap 6-2. T Palmer Mickelson gave the Jackets a quality start, going 5 innings, allowing 2 runs while striking out 4. Carlos Ramirez earned the win in relief allowing only 2 hits in two innings of work. Trailing, 2-0 in the 6th, the Jackets got RBI hits from Steven Shallcross and Gabe Sepulveda as RCTC scored 4 runs in the inning to get the win.
Game two, saw the Cyclones return the favor, this time picking up 4 runs of their own in the fourth inning to take the lead and hold on for a 6-2 win. The Jackets had 5 errors in a two inning stretch that paved the way for St. Cloud. RCTC starter Drew Simmons went 4 innings, allowing 4 earned runs while striking out 2. The Jackets relievers; Grant Miskimins, Jovanni Gonzalez, and Brady Nelson, combined to throw three innings, allowing only 2 hits and no runs. Gabe Sepulveda and Shota Sawamura accounted for both RCTC runs, with solo homeruns.
In the Jackets third game of the weekend they travelled to Minnesota Stae-Fergus Falls to take on the Spartans in a single game. The Jackets pounded out 21 hits on the day, including a homerun for Cole Outlaw as part of a 3-3, 2 RBI day. Jovan Marrero-Soto was 4-5 with 3 runs scored, while Sepulveda was 4-5 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Izaak Stevens had 3 RBI, while Sawamura and Devin Knudson each added 2.
The Jackets will now head to St. Cloud to start their post-season run. The brackets were just released and RCTC will take on Rainy River at 1:00pm on Friday, May 14th. With a win the Jackets would play at 11:00am on Saturday the 15th, with a loss they would play a 7:00pm game on Friday.
