RCTC Softball Sweeps Minnesota West in High-Scoring Doubleheader
The Rochester Community and Technical College softball team completed a convincing sweep of Minnesota West on Tuesday, April 14, winning a wild 18–13 opener before closing the doubleheader with a 9–1 victory to move to 5–4 in conference play.
Game 1: RCTC 18, Minnesota West 13
The series opener was an offensive showcase from start to finish, featuring 31 combined runs and multiple momentum swings before RCTC pulled away late. After Minnesota West struck first with an RBI single in the top of the opening inning, the Yellowjackets immediately answered behind Zoey Clark, who drove in two runs with a single to give RCTC a 2–1 lead.
RCTC's bats erupted in the second inning, sending 13 hitters to the plate and scoring 10 runs. The rally was fueled by patience at the plate, timely extra-base hits, and aggressive baserunning. Clark delivered again with a two-run double, while Michaela Cauffman, Ella Bergan, Ivette Mendoza, and Holly Flom all contributed RBIs as Rochester built a commanding 12–1 advantage.
Minnesota West answered back in dramatic fashion in the third inning, scoring 10 runs on six hits and an RCTC error to briefly erase the deficit. However, Clark shifted the momentum right back to the Yellowjackets in the bottom half with a two-run home run, restoring a 14–11 lead.
Rochester added four more runs over the fifth inning behind back-to-back two-RBI hits from Clark and Cauffman, extending the lead to 18–12. Clark finished the opener with a dominant offensive performance, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, and eight RBIs. Cauffman added three RBIs, while Bergan and Flom both chipped in with multi-hit games.
In the circle, Clark earned the win after throwing 4.1 innings of relief, allowing just one earned run and striking out four to stabilize the game. She also recorded her 100th strikeout on the season.
Game 2: RCTC 9, Minnesota West 1
The nightcap was a far more controlled performance as RCTC backed strong pitching with timely offense. Rochester jumped out early, scoring five runs in the first inning. Jayda Bednarek delivered the key blow with a two-run single before Cauffman cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple to center field.
From there, RCTC pitching took over. Starter Amelie Dohlman was sharp, allowing just one run on six hits across five innings while striking out four. Minnesota West's lone run came in the fifth on an RBI single, but Rochester quickly answered with insurance runs in the bottom of the inning.
KK Hemming doubled home a run, and the Yellowjackets continued to apply pressure in the sixth as Bednarek and Gigi Lundi delivered RBIs amid defensive miscues by Minnesota West. Bednarek went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Cauffman again drove in three runs to finish with a strong doubleheader.
Zoey Clark closed out the sweep by pitching a scoreless sixth inning, striking out two to earn the save.
Overall, RCTC totaled 27 runs across the doubleheader and received standout performances from Clark, Cauffman, and Bednarek as the Yellowjackets continued to build momentum in conference play.
