Rochester Community and Technical College capped a dominant four‑game sweep of Minnesota West Community & Technical College on April 20 with a pair of convincing road victories, winning 12–4 in the opener and 10–3 in the nightcap. The Yellowjackets combined timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and steady pitching throughout the day to push their conference record to 6-2 with a 17-11 mark overall.
Game one tested RCTC early. Minnesota West struck first in the opening inning when Johan Mendoza launched a two‑run homer to right field, but the Yellowjackets responded with a massive nine‑run third inning that flipped the game on its head. RCTC sent 14 batters to the plate in the frame. Sean Postula delivered a two‑run single to break the ice, followed by a stolen base that led to another run on a defensive miscue. Connor Mathison then ripped a two‑run single, and Aiden Yochim capped the barrage with a two‑run double. Jerry Fletcher added an RBI single of his own as RCTC surged to a 9–2 advantage.
After a brief first‑inning stint from Brayden Peterson, Matt Dollaghan steadied the game on the mound, working 5.1 innings while allowing just two runs—one earned—striking out six. Dollaghan also contributed offensively, scoring three times and reaching base twice. Fletcher finished with three RBIs, while Yochim drove in two and scored three runs. RCTC added insurance in the fifth on Fletcher's two‑run double and plated another in the seventh to close out the 12–4 win.
The second game followed a similar script to game one with MN West leading early. The Bluejays held a 3–1 lead after three innings, but RCTC chipped away before breaking the game open over the final two frames.
Grayson DeClue was a catalyst all afternoon, scoring four runs in game two and reaching base three times. RCTC to tied the game in the sixth inning on a wild pitch before Mathison delivered the decisive blow with a two‑run single to put the Yellowjackets ahead for good. RCTC poured on five runs in the seventh, highlighted by Jerry Fletcher's two‑run double and more stolen bases.
On the mound, Aiden Yochim battled through three innings, allowing three runs, before Sam Johnston took control. Johnston earned the win with 2.2 scoreless innings, and closer Koda Sanders shut the door to secure his fourth save of the season.
Across the doubleheader, RCTC totaled 22 runs on 21 hits, stole multiple bases, and forced Minnesota West into costly mistakes. Fletcher, Mathison, Yochim, Postula, and DeClue each played key roles, while the pitching staff limited Minnesota West to just seven total runs on the day.
The two wins completed a four‑game sweep and set the Jackets up for a run at the regular season divisional title and a post-season puch. RCTC is back on the field in a non-conference game against Upper Iowa's JV before facing Riverland in a critical divisional series next weekend.
