RCTC Softball Falls Twice to St. Cloud Tech in MCAC Doubleheader

The Rochester Community and Technical College softball team dropped both ends of an MCAC doubleheader to conference rival St. Cloud Technical & Community College on Friday, April 10, falling 12–2 in six innings in the opener before a 7–1 loss in the nightcap at RCTC's home field.

Game 1: St. Cloud Pulls Away Late in 12–2 Win

RCTC struck first in the opening game, using a strong second inning to take an early advantage. Ivette Mendoza and Zoey Clark both reached base, setting the stage for Keiara Daniel, who lined a two‑run double to left field to give the Yellowjackets a 2–0 lead.

St. Cloud answered in the third inning, scoring twice to tie the game. Rachel Kossan drove in the first run with an RBI double before Maggie Wozniak followed with another two‑bagger to level the score at 2–2.

The game remained tight until the fifth inning when St. Cloud seized control. An RBI single from Wozniak broke the tie, and an RCTC fielding error allowed an additional unearned run to score. Sami Shelton added an RBI double later in the frame as St. Cloud took a 5–2 lead.

The Cyclones put the game out of reach with a seven‑run sixth inning. RBI hits from Sami Winter and Morgan Marquette highlighted the rally before Kossan delivered the decisive blow, crushing a bases‑clearing triple to cap the scoring and trigger the run‑rule.

RCTC collected eight hits in the opener, led by Mendoza, who went 2‑for‑3, and Daniel, who accounted for both RBIs. Zoey Clark worked 4.2 innings in the circle, striking out seven, while Alyssa Knudson finished the game in relief.

Game 2: Cyclones Capitalize in Middle Innings

The second game remained scoreless through three innings as both teams' pitchers worked efficiently. St. Cloud broke through in the fourth inning, starting with Morgan Marquette's RBI single. An RBI fielder's choice and a two‑run double from Addison Breth followed, giving the Cyclones a 4–0 advantage.

St. Cloud added three more runs in the fifth inning. Marquette delivered again with a two‑run triple before Sami Shelton knocked in another run with an RBI single, extending the lead to 7–0.

RCTC avoided the shutout in the bottom of the fifth. Zoey Clark scored on an error after reaching base earlier in the inning, cutting the deficit to 7–1.

The Yellowjackets finished with five hits in the nightcap, with Jayda Bednarek and Holly Flom each recording doubles. Amelie Dohlman and Clark split pitching duties, combining to allow 11 hits.

St. Cloud completed the sweep behind solid pitching from Hailey Stallings and Zoey Stephany, who combined to allow just one unearned run.

RCTC moved to 11–16 overall and 3–3 in MCAC play following the losses and are next slated to take on Anoka-Ramsey in Coon Rapids on Sunday.