April 22, 2026 | Upper Iowa JV at Rochester Community and Technical College

Upper Iowa JV struck early and never looked back, defeating Rochester Community and Technical College 9–2 on Wednesday afternoon. A four-run first inning set the tone, and a deep pitching staff made sure the early advantage was more than enough.

Upper Iowa wasted no time in the opening frame, capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting. A run scored on an error, followed by an RBI single from Konz and a run crossing the plate on a wild pitch. Meyer capped the inning with an RBI single to left, giving the Peacocks a 4–0 lead before Rochester could settle in. RCTC answered with a run in the bottom of the first when Jerry Fletcher doubled to center to drive in Connor Mathison, trimming the deficit to 4–1.

That would be the lone bright spot early for the Yellowjackets, as Upper Iowa's pitching staff took control. Martinez earned the win with three solid innings, allowing just one run while striking out four. Olthoff, Kiffmeyer, and Stevens combined to keep Rochester off balance the rest of the way, limiting them to seven hits and one earned run while striking out 12.

Offensively, Upper Iowa continued to add on. Meyer delivered again in the fifth with a two-run single, finishing the day 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Barnes and Hartzell drove in runs in the sixth, and Bigler's RBI double in the seventh pushed the lead to 9–1. Barnes (2-for-4, two runs) and Konz (2-for-4, RBI) also played key roles in the balanced attack, as Upper Iowa collected 11 hits and drew seven walks.

Rochester scratched across an unearned run in the seventh on an error, but could not mount a sustained rally. Mathison paced RCTC at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Fletcher added two hits and an RBI. 

The Jackets are right back into conference play with a big series against Riverland on Saturday (away) and Sunday (home).  First pitch each day is set for 1:00pm.