Goals include qualifying for state tournament

Even though the official start of spring is still about a week away, the Rainy River Community College baseball season is already underway following a recent eight-game trip to Orlando, Fla.

Josh Koenig is in his third season as head coach with only one returning player, sophomore outfielder/catcher Brett Orpin, back from last year’s team that went 12-22 overall and 5-11 in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference, two conference wins short of qualifying for the state tournament.

The list of departed players includes two who received MCAC honors after finishing their sophomore years of eligibility last season.

J.C. Crane, a pitcher/catcher/outfielder from Tucson, Ariz., had a 3-1 pitching record and batted .427 in 2011.

Crane, who was honored as the MCAC North’s Player of the Week twice and the Pitcher of the Week once last season, is now a junior on the University of Minnesota Crookston’s baseball team.

Michael Dickerson Jr., an outfielder from Chicago, was the Voyageurs’ leadoff batter with a .380 average and recorded 47 stolen bases in 50 attempts last season.

Dickerson was also recognized nationally as the NJCAA Division III Player of the Week as well as an MCAC North Player of the Week.

Another key loss Koenig lists is left-handed pitcher Chad Sohlman of International Falls, who won three games on the mound last season in nine appearances.

Sohlman’s father, Bill, is an assistant coach for RRCC this season.

Of the 14 players on the Voyageurs’ 2012 roster, nine are listed as being a pitcher for one of their positions with seven of those also slated for a spot in the infield.

“Defensively, we have good depth and versatility in our infield and solid speed in the outfield,” Koenig said. “Depth will be our weakness if we don’t stay free of injuries.”

An outfielder who is the only other RRCC player besides Orpin in his sophomore year of eligibility, Jamall Hudson of Chicago, coincidentally also wears the No. 1 jersey Dickerson did last season and is also known for his base-stealing ability.

Along with continuing to “build and develop a quality program on and off the field,” Koenig said the team’s goals this season include winning more games than last season and qualifying for the state tournament.

“We look for this group of players to stay focused, work hard, and strive for excellence both on and off the field,” he said.

Koenig said the teams to watch out for include Itasca and Mesabi Range, the latter having split a doubleheader with the Voyageurs in Florida last week.

RRCC is next scheduled to play Sunday in St. Cloud against both Northland Community College and St. Cloud Technical and Community College.

The Voyageurs will play several away games before their first home doubleheader scheduled for April 22 against Vermilion.