RCTC Softball Splits MCAC Opener at Minnesota West
Rochester Community and Technical College opened Minnesota College Athletic Conference play with a split on Tuesday, March 31, earning a tightly contested 3–1 win in the opener before dropping a high-scoring 15–10 decision in the nightcap at Minnesota West.
Game 1: RCTC 3, Minnesota West 1
The Yellowjackets leaned on dominant pitching and timely baserunning to capture the conference-opening victory. Zoey Clark delivered a complete-game gem in the circle, striking out 10 and allowing just four hits while surrendering one unearned run. Clark did not issue a walk over seven innings, facing the minimum through several key stretches as RCTC played from in front.
Offensively, runs were at a premium early as both teams were held scoreless through the first two innings. RCTC broke through in the third when Jayda Bednarek reached and later came around to score, giving the Yellowjackets a 1–0 edge. Minnesota West threatened multiple times, including a triple from Hannah McNab, but Clark consistently worked out of trouble.
Rochester added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings, taking advantage of aggressive baserunning. The Yellowjackets stole seven bases in the game, with Bednarek swiping two and Ivette Mendoza adding a pair as well. Zoey Clark helped her own cause at the plate, going 2-for-3 with the team's lone RBI.
Minnesota West plated its only run in the sixth inning, but Clark shut the door in the seventh to secure the win and give RCTC an early conference boost.
Game 2: Minnesota West 15, RCTC 10
The second game saw a complete shift in tone, turning into an offensive shootout from the opening inning. RCTC struck first with a three-run top of the first, highlighted by RBI contributions from Zoey Clark and Cason Forbrook. However, Minnesota West answered immediately with four runs in the bottom half and never fully relinquished the lead despite several RCTC rallies.
The Yellowjackets stayed aggressive at the plate, scoring in four of the first five innings and building a 10-run total on 10 hits. Jayda Bednarek was outstanding, finishing 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Gigi Lundi also had a big game, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks, while Michaela Cauffman and Zoey Clark each scored twice.
Minnesota West's offense proved relentless, racking up 18 hits and capitalizing on defensive errors and pitching miscues. Kya Alderson led the way with three RBIs, while Raya Van Beek and Jayda Hellewell each drove in multiple runs. A five-run fifth inning created the separation the Bluejays needed.
In the circle, Alyssa Knudson and Zoey Clark combined for six innings for RCTC, but Minnesota West's hitters consistently found gaps. Alderson earned the win, and Gracie Nath closed the door with two scoreless innings to earn the save.
The split moves RCTC forward with plenty of positives heading into a non-conference double-header against DCTC on Wednesday followed by another divisional matchup against Ridgewater at home on Friday.
