RCTC Softball Season Concludes with Region Losses to Itasca

The 2026 season came to a close for Rochester Community and Technical College softball on April 25, as the Yellowjackets dropped both games of their NJCAA Region series to Minnesota North College–Itasca.

In the opening game, RCTC fell 9–1 as Itasca capitalized early and built momentum behind a strong offensive performance. The Yellowjackets struck first in the top of the opening inning when Gigi Lundi singled and later scored RCTC's lone run on a run‑producing groundout by Cason Forbrook. It proved to be the team's only run of the contest.

Itasca responded immediately with two runs in the bottom of the first inning and broke the game open with a four‑run second frame. Addison Linder delivered the decisive blow with a home run that plated multiple runs, Itasca continued to apply pressure throughout the contest. RCTC managed just one hit in the game while striking out eight times against Linder, who went the distance in the circle.

Amelie Dohlman took the loss for RCTC, pitching the opening inning before Zoey Clark worked the remainder of the game in relief. Clark battled through traffic, striking out three, but Itasca tallied home runs from both Linder and Hailey Ridgeway and finished with 13 hits in five innings to close out the run‑rule win.

Game two was a far tighter contest and a better reflection of RCTC's competitive resilience, though the outcome again favored Itasca, 4–1. MN North scored twice in the first inning and added a run in the second, but RCTC's pitching staff settled in and kept the game within reach.

Alyssa Knudson started in the circle and was charged with the loss despite not allowing an earned run, while Zoey Clark returned for extended relief and held Itasca to one earned run over 4.2 innings. Defensively, RCTC worked through challenges but continued to battle, limiting a dangerous Itasca lineup to nine hits.

The Yellowjackets found their breakthrough in the fourth inning. Cason Forbrook scored the team's only run when Ivette Mendoza ripped an RBI double, providing a spark and narrowing the gap to 3–1. Mendoza later added a stolen base, and Jayda Bednarek also swiped a bag as RCTC looked to generate momentum on the bases.

Despite the push, Itasca ace Addison Linder again proved tough to solve, throwing a complete game with 11 strikeouts. A solo home run by Linder in the seventh inning added an insurance run and sealed the regional finale.

The Jackets finish the season with a second place finish in the Southern Division, and overall record of 17-21 and a conference mark of 9-7.