Rochester Community and Technical College delivered an offensive onslaught in a two-game sweep of Minnesota North College–Vermilion on March 27, overwhelming the the Ironhawks both offensively and with strong pitching to cap a statement day at the ballpark.
Game 1: RCTC 13, Minnesota North–Vermilion 0
RCTC wasted no time setting the tone in the opener, erupting for seven runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looking back in a five-inning run-rule victory. The Yellowjackets sent 11 batters to the plate in the opening frame, capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely extra-base hitting to build an early lead.
The first-inning outburst featured run-scoring contributions from throughout the lineup. Jerry Fletcher singled home a run, Gussie Maynard crushed a two-run triple to center, and Conner Cullen and Connor Mathison each delivered RBI hits to cap the rally. Aggressive baserunning also played a key role, with multiple stolen bases helping RCTC pressure the defense early.
Cullen continued his strong day in the second inning, drilling a two-run double to extend the lead to 9–0. After three scoreless frames, RCTC finished the scoring in the fifth, highlighted by Justice Cossey's two-run triple, a sacrifice fly from Fletcher, and an RBI single by Sean Postula.
On the mound, Chase Horstman was in full control. The right-hander tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out six over five innings. Horstman faced 22 batters and did not allow a runner past second, earning his second win of the season. RCTC totaled 10 hits in the opener, with Cullen driving in three runs and Maynard, Fletcher, and Mathison all contributing multiple RBIs.
Game 2: RCTC 11, Minnesota North–Vermilion 1
The nightcap followed a similar script, with the biggest damage coming in a decisive third inning. After scoring once in the second, RCTC exploded for eight runs in the third to seize full control of the game.
Gussie Maynard got things started with an RBI double, followed by run-scoring singles and productive plate appearances from Sean Postula, Derek Encarnacion, and Jerry Fletcher. Encarnacion stole second before scoring later in the inning as RCTC pushed the lead to 9–0.
Minnesota North–Vermilion briefly broke through in the fourth on TJ Frein's RBI triple, but any momentum was quickly erased. Christian Revilla answered immediately for RCTC, launching a two-run homer to left field to restore a double-digit advantage.
Aaron Terpstra was sharp on the mound, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven across four innings. Koda Sanders closed the door with a clean fifth, striking out three to secure the win for the Jackets. At the plate, Revilla went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs, Postula collected two hits and drove in two runs, and Fletcher added a two-run double.
Across the doubleheader, RCTC outscored Minnesota North–Vermilion 24–1 and finished the four game trip to Iowa with a 4-0 record. The Jackets play the JV of UW-River Falls on Wednesday, before returning home for a four game series against Minnesota Post-Grad on Friday and Saturday.
