The Dakota County Technical College baseball team travels to Florida for the RussMatt Invitational over spring break. The Blue Knights will head to Florida with a 3-3 record, after sweeping Rainy River CC and taking one of four from Southeast CC (details below). They will play 12 games in a 7-day span. During the 12-game trip, DCTC will play seven teams and two of them are ranked in the national NJCAA poll: #15 Lincoln Land CC and #20 Westchester CC. The Blue Knights will be playing in the RussMatt Invite, a tournament played throughout Central Florida. They will play at three different sites during their trip: Chain of Lakes Complex (former Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians spring training facility), Disney Wide World of Sports (former Atlanta Braves spring training facility), and Lake Myrtle Park. The Blue Knights schedule in Florida is the following:
RussMatt Invite schedule (Eastern Standard Time)
ASA Brooklyn at DCTC, Wed., Mar. 11, 2:30 p.m.
DCTC at ASA Brooklyn, Wed., Mar. 11, 5:00 p.m.
DCTC at Mott CC, Thurs., Mar. 12, 4:30 p.m.
Mott CC at DCTC, Thurs., Mar. 12, 7:00 p.m.
#20 Westchester CC at DCTC, Fri., Mar. 13, 9:15 a.m.
DCTC at #15 Lincoln Land CC, Fri., Mar. 13, 12:30 p.m.
Brookdale CC vs. Sun., Mar. 15, 9:15 a.m.
DCTC at Brookdale CC, Sun., Mar. 15, 11:45 a.m.
DCTC at Sussex County CC, Mon., Mar. 16, 3:15 p.m.
Sussex County CC at DCTC, Mon., Mar. 16, 5:45 p.m.
DCTC at Kirkwood CC, Tue., Mar. 17, 9:15 a.m.
Kirkwood CC at DCTC, Tue., Mar. 17, 11:45 a.m.
Game Recaps of Southeast CC Series at US Bank Stadium
Southeast CC 12 DCTC 3
Blue Knights fell 12-3 to Southeast CC.
Southeast CC opened up scoring in the second inning. Garrett Olson singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. DCTC evened things up at one in the bottom of the second inning when Henry Laue hit a solo homer. Southeast CC pulled away for good with five runs in the third inning. In the third Zach Breeden grand slam and Cade Moeller singled to score one run.
Conor Merton took the loss for Blue Knights. He lasted two and a third innings, allowing seven hits and six runs while striking out two. DCTC totaled six hits. Laue and Parker Savard each managed multiple hits for the Blue Knights.
Southeast CC 6 DCTC 0
Nothing came easy for Blue Knights on Monday morning, as they fell 6-0 to Southeast CC
Logan Sjoberg took the loss for DCTC. He went three innings, allowing three runs on two hits and striking out two. Tristan Whitbeck, Klehr, and Henry Laue each collected one hit to lead the Blue Knights.
Southeast CC 3 DCTC 1
Blue Knights fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 3-1 loss to Southeast CC on Tuesday. Southeast CC took the lead on a single in the second inning.
The pitching was strong on both sides. Southeast CC pitchers struck out nine, while DCTC sat down nine. Devon Schewe took the loss for Blue Knights. He lasted four innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out eight.
Parker Savard, Brady Klehr, Nick Baker, and Mitch Goodwin each managed a hit for Blue Knights.
DCTC 9 Southeast CC 4
Blue Knights scores more runs than Southeast CC, takes victory on Tuesday to the tune of 9-4
Blue Knights got things moving in the first inning. Tommy Blackstone hit into a fielder's choice, scoring one run. DCTC scored three runs in the seventh inning. Blue Knights's offense in the inning came from by Riley Pederson and Nick Baker and a groundout by Caleb Ditmarson.
Teddy Tauer took the win for the Blue Knights. He went two and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out three. Jonah Lewis threw one and one-third innings in relief out of the bullpen. Lewis recorded the last four outs to earn the save for the Blue Knights. Jack Stoddard started the game for DCTC. He lasted three innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out two and walking one
Blue Knights smacked one home run on the day. Pederson had a dinger in the fifth inning. Pederson went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead DCTC in hits. The Blue Knights stole eight bases during the game as two players stole more than one. Mitch Goodwin led the way with three.
Please follow the baseball team on tweet at @BaseballDCTC
