Rochester, MN-
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) baseball programs have been competing in non-conference games over the past few weeks and are now gearing up for their conference season. As each team prepares to win its respective division and qualify for the Region 13 Tournament, the MCAC head baseball coaches took time to share their thoughts and predictions for the 2025 season.
MCAC Baseball competes at the NJCAA Division III level and is divided into three divisions: North, Central, and South.
In a coaches' poll, the South Division coaches selected Century College as the team most likely to claim the South Division title. Century finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 36-17 and a South Division record of 8-7. With a strong combination of returning and new players, the Wood Ducks are favorites to reclaim the top spot in the South Division. In the Central Division, St. Cloud Technical & Community College was voted as the team to win the Central title. Returning four of their top six pitchers from a year ago in which the Cyclones finished 32-14 overall, 16-4 in the Central Division, and an NJCAA World Series appearance, the team is set up nicely to return to the 2025 championship tournament. Minnesota North College - Itasca was selected as the favorite to win the North Division this season. After winning the North Division in 2024 with a 27-17 overall record and a 15-5 divisional record but having to bring in 18 freshmen after losing an experienced group last year, the Vikings should make adjustments early in the season and finish in a position to make a run at the Region 13 title.
First-year coaches will take the field at Alexandria Technical and Community College, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and Minnesota North College-Hibbing. Brandon Hill is leading the ATCC Legends this season, Ryan Holmgren takes the reins of the ARCC Golden Rams program, and Alex Haapajoki is commanding the MNCH Cardinals program. Justin Lamppa (Minnesota North College Itasca – 29th season) and Josh Koenig (Minnesota North College Rainy River – 16th season) continue to be the most tenured coaches in the conference, as they are 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 that 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 Conference2025 Baseball Season Preview & Coaches PollSouth Division
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MCAC South No. 1 Century College
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Head Coach: Matthew Erzar, 4 years with Century College Overall Record: 100-49 Coaching Staff: Kevin Nunn, assistant coach; Brendan Knoll, assistant 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: Seth Tierney, Eden Prairie, MN, 1B/DH Seth Nelson, Mahtomedi, MN, UTIL Adrian Warcken, Wayzata, MN, OF Seth Luther, Victoria, MN, RHP Mason McGowan, Chaska, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Hunter Guenther, Gilmanton, WI, RHP/IF Connor Larsen, Spring Lake Park, MN, C/1B Jack Erickson, Mahtomedi, MN, UTIL 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 Rochester Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Clark Jones, 6 years at Rochester Community & Technical College Overall Record: 118-86 Coaching Staff: Dave Adams, hitting coach; Matteo Finocchi, pitching coach; and Doug Lee, outfield coach/administrative assistant Top returning players: Teagun Ahrens, Owatanna, MN, OF/LHP Ramon Teran, Barquisimeto, Venezuela, CF/2B Riley Forbes, Lake City, MN, C Zach Carr, Rochester, MN, LHP Owen Vargas, New Port Richie, FL, RHP/DH Top incoming/new players: Jesus Sosa, San Juan, PR, SS Ethan Paisley, Ainsworth, IA Chase Horstman, Bangor, WI, RHP Comments from Coach Jones: "This year's team is a deep team, with strong pitching and defense. The jury is out on what type of offensive team we will be, but we are improving each and every day. We will play lots of kids, especially early, and see who steps up."
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MCAC South No. 3 Riverland Community College
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Head Coach: Derek Hahn, 7 years at Riverland Community College Overall Record: 156-84 Coaching Staff: Alex Ciola, assistant coach, and Kevin Juenger, assistant coach Top returning players: Alberto Rigual, Miami, FL, UTL/RHP Karlo Aguirre, Miami, FL, 1B Jack Sorenson, Cloquet, MN, LHP Evan Lenz, Adrian, MN, INF Sam McEvoy, Duluth, MN, INF/RHP Top incoming/new players: To be determined Comments from Coach Hahn: "Good mixture of returning experience and brand new faces that will be relied upon heavily to contribute. Added some solid arms that should provide some depth on the mound."
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MCAC South No. 4 Minnesota West Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Joseph Kinley, 3 years at Minnesota West Community & Technical College Overall Record: 23-49 Coaching Staff: Jake Olson, catching coach; Tucker Sorenson, pitching coach; Daniel Castro, volunteer assistant coach; and Mitzi Guizar, athletic trainer Top returning players: Triston Sauerbrei, Worthington, MN, RHP Connor Eich, Lennox, SD, RHP Haruta Endo, Yokohama, Japan, OF Hiroaki Ishiguro, Aichi, Japan, RHP Arturo Jimenez, San Jose, Costa Rica, INF Top incoming/new players: Tucker Brandner, Worthington, MN, RHP Shahir Brahim, Buenos Aires, Argentina, C Manny DuoJie, Qinhai, China, INF Comments from Coach Kinley: "We have some great returning sophomores, as well as some really good freshmen. Excited to get some games in and let them compete."
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MCAC South No. 5 Western Technical College
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Head Coach: Josh Knoll, 8 years at Western Technical College Overall Record: Unknown Coaching Staff: Lewis Peters, assistant coach Top returning players: Tom Mara, Prairie du Chen, WI, RHP Mitch Broadhead, Fort Atkinson, WI, C Top incoming/new players: Logan Arndt, Oconomowoc, WI, 1B Ethan Loos, Rochester, MN, SS Aaron Anderson, Horizons, WI, P Comments from Coach Knoll: "Just working hard to get better every day."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2025 Baseball Season Preview & Coaches PollCentral Division
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MCAC Central No. 1 St. Cloud Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: David Kroger, 4 years at St. Cloud Technical & Community College Overall Record: 89-44 Coaching Staff: Eli Backes, assistant coach; and Cayden Hansen, pitching coach Top returning players: Terrence Moody, Sauk Rapids, MN, 3B/RHP Hayden Frank, St. Michael, MN, LHP/OF Griffin Dosan, Eveleth, MN, RHP/1B Reece Berberich, Thompson, ND, C/OF Max Reis, Beatrice, NE, OF Top incoming/new players: Devan Meran, Miami, FL, OF Danny Sanchez, Miami, FL, INF Luke Dam, Burnsville, MN, INF Comments from Coach Kroger: "A lot of returners making us very strong offensively and in our starting rotation, returning 4 of 6 top arms from last year. Our bullpen is young and unproven but have a high ceiling. With the sophomore transfers this year, 7 of our starters are sophomores with experience."
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MCAC Central No. 2 Alexandria Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: Brandon Hill, 1st year at Alexandria Technical & Community College Overall Record: 11-5 Coaching Staff: Brent Pakkala, 3rd base coach; Alex Jinkins, hitting/assistant head coach; Brock Depute, pitching coach; and Calen O'Connell, hitting coach Top returning players: Jalen Vorpahl, Sartell, MN, LHP Jaden Drill, Courtland, MN, 1B Devin Gutierrez, Corpus Christi, TX, SS/RHP Josmer Ortiz Aponte, Aibonito, PR, CF Jaxon Schoenrock, Alexandria, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Gabriel Cabrera, Caracas, Venezuela, C Isaac Hamann, Bluffton, MN, OF/RHP Connor Davis, Wadena, MN, UTIL Comments from Coach Hill: "We enter the season with a ton of new faces all around the field. Of 33 players last year, we return only 8. There is a lot of excitement and energy around our team, and we're looking forward to competing this spring."
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MCAC Central No. 3 Ridgewater College
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Head Coach: Tyler Hebrink, 4 years at Ridgewater College Overall Record: 51-46 Coaching Staff: Shawn Dollerschell, assistant coach; and Adam Schrader, pitching coach Top returning players: Nolan Eischens, New Prague, MN, MIF/RHP Max Athmann, Paynesville, MN, UTIL Andrew Prieve, Hutchinson, MN, OF/RHP Mason Macziewski, Howard Lake, MN, C Brady Perleberg, Brandon, MN, 2B Top incoming/new players: Dominic Rose, Gibbon, MN, RHP Joe Liebl, Wabasso, MN, LHP/1B Jayce Olthoff, Dassel, MN, CF Comments from Coach Hebrink: "Looking forward to watching this team compete this year. We are going to be relying on a lot of freshmen this year, so it will be interesting to see who can establish themselves in some roles. This group has worked extremely hard in the off-season, so we're excited to see how that translates into the season."
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MCAC Central No. 4 Anoka-Ramsey Community College
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Head Coach: Ryan Holmgren, 1st year at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Overall Record: 7-6 Coaching Staff: Brian Hronski, assistant coach and pitching coach; Steve Janske, assistant coach and director of baseball operations; and Noah Thompson, assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach Top returning players: Craig Fierro, Reno, NV, RHP/UTIL Logan Adamski, Silver Bay, MN, 3B/RHP Gabe Ottmar, Hopkins, MN, OF Tanner Flahaven, Superior, WI, LHP Julian Campos, Plymouth, MN, RHP/OF Top incoming/new players: Ty McGee, Champlin, MN, C Sam Poser, Ramsey, MN, SS Dylan Smith, Wayzata, MN, 2B/DH Comments from Coach Holmgren: "We are looking forward to a competitive first season under the direction of a new coaching staff and building Anoka-Ramsey Baseball to be a consistently competitive program in a very tough league and division."
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MCAC Central No. 5 Minnesota State Community & Technical College - Fergus Falls
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Head Coach: Grant Harding, 5 years at Minnesota State Community & Technical College – Fergus Falls Overall record: 43-97 Coaching Staff: Ethan Dillingham, pitching coach Top returning players: Tyson Barthel, Wadena, MN, 3B/P Hunter Holtti, New York Mills, MN, LHP Evan Lunde, Wadena, MN, CF Eli Stevens, Wagoner, OK, RHP Top incoming/new players: Brendan Kent, Godley, TX, C Cayden Doven, Tampa, FL, RHP Comments from Coach Harding: "We feel we have a good pitching staff and are excited to get out and compete." |
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MCAC Central No. 6 Central Lakes College
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Head Coach: Blaine Hardy, 2 years at Central Lakes College Overall Record: Coaching Staff: No one submitted Top returning players: No one submitted Top incoming/new players: No one submitted Comments from Coach Hardy: No comment was submitted.
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2025 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, 29 years at MNC - Itasca Overall Record: 718-457 Coaching Staff: Chris Brown, assistant coach; Mike Gebhart, assistant coach; and Robert Ott, assistant coach Top returning players: Kollin Bonneville, Cloquet, MN, SS Garron Opsahl, Hermantown, MN, OF/1B Bennett Schultz, New London Spicer, MN, OF Cooper Flaig, Roseau, MN, 1B Xander Parduhn, Ashland, WI, P Top incoming/new players: Jaxon Kenning, St. Cloud, MN, 1B Kaydn Mork, St. Cloud, MN, OF Kobe Hinzmann, Bertha, MN, OF Comments from Coach Lamppa: "18 freshmen - lot of patience!"
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MCAC North No. 2 Northland Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Jonathan Lund, 2nd year at Northland Community and Technical College Overall Record: 27-30 Coaching Staff: Cody Horn, assistant coach; Terry Wiseth, assistant coach; Devante Ryans, assistant coach; and Carlos Lugo, assistant coach Top returning & incoming players: Justin Amesquita, San Antonio, TX, LHP/1B/OF Tyler Tamez, Williston, ND, OF Aidan Powell, Manvel, TX, LHP Cooper Lawrence, Thief River Falls, MN, OF Gamaliel Vasquez, Tucson, AZ, 1B/3B Top incoming/new players: Josiah Montelongo, San Antonio, TX, SS Kyle Robinson, West Jordan, UT, RHP Josh Torres, El Paso, TX, RHP/INF Comments from Coach Lund: "Looking to keep building off last season. I was very happy with what we were able to accomplish last season with such a small group of guys. The sky is the limit with this group now having a good mixture of depth and experience. Always starts on the mound and on defense. If we do those things at a high level, we will have a chance to be very successful."
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MCAC North No. 3 Minnesota North College - Vermilion
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Head Coach: Tom Coombe, 8 years at MNC - Vermilion Overall Record: 91-117 Coaching Staff: Mike Turnbull, assistant coach; and Mike Pope, assistant coach Top returning players: Nick Berglund, Princeton, MN, OF Jerron Turney, Haxton, CO, RHP Aidan Brandenburg, Winter Garden, FL, C Top incoming/new players: Martin Cubillan, St. Paul, MN, C Andrew Ritter, South St. Paul, MN, SS/P TJ Frein, Bloomington, MN, 1B/P Cole Smith, Missoula, MT, OF Andrew Melgeorge, Superior, Wi, P Comments from Coach Coombe: "We are very young and freshman-dominated. At times, nine of our 10 in the lineup will be first-year guys. Developing pitching consistency and depth will be the key if we are to contend in the North and qualify for a region playoff berth."
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MCAC North No. 4 Minnesota North College - Rainy River
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Head Coach: Josh Koenig, 15 years at MNC - Rainy River Overall Record: 241-313 Coaching Staff: Brandon Holbert, assistant coach; and Phil Hindes, assistant coach Top returning & incoming players: Ian Becker, St. George, UT, 1B/DH Tom Rombauts, Merchtem, Belgium, C/UTIL Johnny Lopez, Tucson, AZ, RHP Austin Jackson-Anderson, Waianae, HI, OF Josh Johnson, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, 1B/DH Top incoming/new players: Gerardo Alcantar Jr., Rio Rico, AZ, IF Joshua Barrios, Tucson, AZ, RHP Colin Haymond, West Jordan, UT, RHP Comments from Coach Koenig: "Looking forward to seeing what this group of players can do together this year."
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MCAC North No. 5 Minnesota North College - Hibbing
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Head Coach: Alex Haapajoki, 1st year at MNC - Hibbing Overall Record: 5-15 Coaching Staff: Will Cantrell, catchers coach; and Skip Ferris, outfield coach Top returning & incoming players: Bruce Slygh, Hermantown, MN, 3B Darren Loyola, Ponce, PR, RHP Top incoming/new players: Damien Lariz, Plant City, FL, RHP Landon Wood, Seffner, FL, RHP Blaine Sturm, Newark, OH, 2B Comments from Coach Haapajoki: "Expect our starting rotation and our hitting to be the highlight of our season."
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MCAC North No. 6 Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range
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Head Coach: Chris Vito, 9 years at MNC - Mesabi Range Overall Record: 54-193 Coaching Staff: Dave Kunz, assistant coach; Tom Norman, assistant coach; and Jesse Bennett, statistician Top returning players: Hunter Twete, Northwood, ND, LHP/1B Colton Comstock, Matoon, IL, RHP/1B Aiden Debner, Waverly, MN, 1B Kenny Randt, Mora, MN, C Elijah Mack, Moorhead, MN, SS/RHP Top incoming/new players: Max Bahr, Bemidji, MN, RHP/OF Caleb Jacinto, Tucson, AZ, RHP/OF Elliot Blatz, Grasston, MN, IF Comments from Coach Vito: "We return seven players who saw significant time from last season, along with adding some talented freshmen. I expect us to be improved."
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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.