RRCC laces up the spikes tonight for the first time in program history
Maybe Rainy River Community College should start recruiting more student-athletes from Arizona.
One year, one month and two days after announcing its getting a baseball team, RRCC finally takes the field tonight at the Metrodome against Western Tech, a Region 13 team out of La Crosse, Wis.
It’s the inaugural game for a program that’s already brought good fortune to an area known for having brutal weather during the spring sports season. Just ask around.
“We had a great fall, too. Weather in the fall was fabulous,” first-year head coach Josh Koenig said. “Everyone from town jokes the kids from Arizona brought this weather.”
The first team boast six players from “The Grand Canyon State,” which is tied with Minnesota for most on the team. Throw in four Canadians and one player from Utah and Montana, and you have the 2010 Voyageurs (see Page 3B).
“We’re all just hungry to play,” tri-captain Kendall Prescott said. “We’ve been here since August. Lots of practice, lots of 6 in the morning practices. All of the guys just want to play.”
But will they compete?
Most first-year programs have low expectations — they would never admit — but RRCC has a core group of players that know the game and believe they can compete. The Arizona guys played year-round in high school and Prescott’s prep team in Utah has already played eight games. Game experience won’t be a problem.
“We’re pretty confident right now. We’ve practiced pretty hard and most of us have played against guys who are playing in junior college now,” said J.C. Crane, a captain and of the six players from Arizona. Zaul Tapia, also from Arizona, is the third captain.
“I’ve played with some pretty good ball teams and this team has a lot of talent,” Prescott said. “If we start our best nine and rotate our starting five the correct way, we’ll be alright.”
Another perk is all six from Arizona have played together, something Koenig knows will be a weakness.
“Our biggest challenge early will be getting used to playing together against someone else,” he said.
All six Minnesotans have local ties, although only four are from the area. Mike Wilson, Chad Sohlman and Andrew Mannausau went to Falls High School, and Mason Imhof, who is fully recovered from a stress fracture in his foot that ended his college basketball season, played at Littlefork-Big Falls. Alan Strom (Kensington, Minn.) and Eric Erickson (Barrett, Minn.) are from out-of-town, but played for former FHS teacher and assistant football coach Tim Pattrin at West Central Area High School. Pattrin was also an assistant basketball coach under Koenig at FHS.
“I’m very pleased with the core group we have,” Koenig said.
The home opener is April 17 against Mesabi Range.
“Love the game. Love the game of baseball and that just feeds and the guys gravitate to it,” Koenig said about the first impressions of his squad. “They love to be at the field. They’re willing to work hard and put in the extra effort.”
The Voyageurs will compete out of the Northern Division of the MCAC with Itasca, Mesabi Range, Vermilion and Hibbing. The top two teams qualify for the postseason. Fergus Falls, St. Cloud Tech, Northland, Ridgewater and Central Lakes make up the Central Division, while Anoka-Ramsey, Dakota County, Minnesota West, Ridgewater and Rochester make up the South Division. Last season’s division champions where Itasca, Fergus, Dakota County (tie) and Riverland (tie).
Koenig expects quality hitting and starting pitching to carry his squad early before the defense and bullpen catch up. Erickson will get the start tonight in the opener under the Teflon roof.
“We just need game experience,” Koenig said. “We’re thrown right into the fire on Saturday night and we’ll see how they adapt to it.”
2010 RRCC Baseball Schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
March 27 West. Tech-La Crosse (@ Metrodome) 10:15 p.m.
April 2 Fergus Falls (@ Rochester) 2 p.m.
April 2 Rochester (@ Rochester) 4 p.m.
April 3 Minnesota West (DH @ Rochester) 10 a.m.
April 4 North Iowa Area (@ Metrodome) 9 a.m.
April 10 Vermilion (@ Rochester) 2 p.m.
April 10 Rochester (@ Rochester) 4 p.m.
April 11 Rochester (@ Rochester) 11 a.m.
April 11 Vermilion (@ Rochester) 1 p.m.
April 13 at Bemidji State (DH vs. JV) TBA
April 16 at Itasca (DH) 2:30 p.m.
April 17 HOME vs. Mesabi Range (DH) 1 p.m.
April 21 HOME vs. Vermilion (DH) 3 p.m.
April 24 HOME vs. Hibbing (DH) 1 p.m.
May 1 HOME vs. Itasca (DH) 2:30 p.m.
May 2 at Mesabi Range (DH) 1 p.m.
May 5 at Hibbing (DH) 5 p.m.
May 8 at Vermilion (DH) 1 p.m.
May 14-16 Region Tournament (@ St. Cloud) TBA
*DH - Doubleheader
