The DCTC Blue Knights hosted the annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser at Emerald Greens Golf Course on August 26th. The fundraiser helps support current and future Blue Knight student-athletes, and had a great turnout that included many Blue Knights athletes, staff, friends, family, partners, and supporters.
DCTC Blue Knights Baseball wrapped up the 2022 season at the Region 13 Playoffs at Miles Community College in Miles City, Montana. Tyler Steimer (FR., Catcher, Rosemount, MN) was named to the NJCAA Division 2 Baseball All-Region 13 team. Steimer was a great player for the Blue Knights all year long and had a great Regional Tournament in Montana. Steimer led the team in batting average (.409), hits (35), doubles (11), total bases (48), and tied for lead in RBI’s (19). Congratulations Tyler!
2022 Season Player Highlights
Elijah Stifter (FR., Second Baseman, Stewart, MN) ended the season with a .301 batting average and second on the team in doubles (9). He was also a big arm out of the bullpen for the Blue Knights all year long, tied for second in appearances (8), with a 3.01 ERA, 11 strikeouts and 3 walks.
Tommy Peterson (SO., 1st Baseman, Woodbury, MN) had a really nice year for the Blue Knights as well. He hit .325, was second on the team in hits (26), and was third on the team in doubles (7).
Diego Waisanen (SO., 3B/SS, Chaska, MN) is a versatile player that had to play shortstop for us out of need toward the back half of the season. He hit .310 on the year, and was second on the team with 2 Homeruns.
Seth Goplen (SO., 3B/OF, North St. Paul, MN) spent most of the season at third base and in the corner outfield. He hit .299, with 5 doubles, 1 triple, led the team with 3 homeruns, and tied for the lead with 19 RBI’s.
We would also like to thank our sophomores for all their hard work and dedication during this year. Thank you to Seth Goplen, Diego Waisanen, Tommy Peterson, Garrett Boblitt, Tristan Whitbeck, Jacob Biermaier, and Dalton Burns!
Women’s soccer team nominated • 14 individual athletes nominated
Dakota County Technical College has submitted nominations for 2020–2021 NJCAA All-Academic Awards for teams and individual players. The DCTC Blue Knights women’s soccer team (average GPA: 3.11) has been nominated for the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Award.
Fourteen Blue Knights softball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, baseball and basketball players have been nominated for NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Awards.
Marki Struensee serves as the college’s athletic coordinator. Marki oversaw the nomination process for all six NJCAA teams at DCTC.
“I am proud of each and every Blue Knight athlete,” she said. “In the past year, COVID has forced us to make some big changes to athletics as well as academics. These student-athletes worked hard to balance it all—at times with things changing daily. Congrats to the individual and team nominations, as well as those who didn’t make the nomination criteria. Thank you for all of your hard work!”
DCTC Team Nominated
Blue Knights Women’s Soccer
Average GPA: 3.11
Bella Ciccarelli (4) • 3.81 GPA • Team and Student-Athlete [team photo unavailable]
DCTC Individual Players Nominated
Ben Goelz
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Zach Gunderson
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Ariyontai Hatcher
Basketball
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Jordi Herrera
Men’s Soccer
Sophomore
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Alissa Merrick
Women’s Soccer
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Caitlin Springer
Women’s Soccer
Freshman
GPA: 4.00 • NJCAA All-Academic First Team
Kirby Pieri
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 3.97 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Riley Pederson
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 3.95 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Maria Gutzmann
Softball
Freshman
GPA: 3.94 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Benjamin Simonsen
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 3.91 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Lilly Hernandez
Women’s Soccer
Sophomore
GPA: 3.88 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Elizabeth Lehrer
Softball
Freshman
GPA: 3.82 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Isabella Ciccarelli
Softball, Women’s Soccer
Freshman
GPA: 3.81 • NJCAA All-Academic Second Team
Dalton Burns
Baseball
Freshman
GPA: 3.75 • NJCAA All-Academic Third Team
The Blue Knights Swept Bay College on over the weekend 6-5, 7-1, 10-5, and 10-0. Winning the Region XIII Play-In Series 4-0 and taking all eight games. DCTC will host to the four-team double elimination Region XIII tournament on May 14th-16th.
4/16 DCTC @ Bay Game 1 DCTC 19 Bay 2
4/16 DCTC @ Bay Game 2 DCTC 7 Bay 1
4/17 DCTC @ Bay Game 3 DCTC 10 Bay 0
4/17 DCTC @ Bay (non-series game) DCTC 7 Bay 3
5/7 Bay @ DCTC Game 4 DCTC 6 Bay 5
5/7 Bay @ DCTC Game 5 (non-series game) DCTC 7 Bay 1
5/8 Bay @ DCTC Game 6 (non-series game) DCTC 10 Bay 5
5/8 Bay @ DCTC Game 7 (non-series game) DCTC 10 Bay 0
Play-In Series Game 4
DCTC 6 Bay College 5
A walk-off sacrifice fly led Blue Knights past Bay College 6-5 and to a 4-0 series win. The game was tied at five in the bottom of the seventh when Riley Pederson's sac fly scored Mitch Goodwin. Going into the seventh the Blue Knights were down by two runs. Kirby Pieri lead off with a Hit by pitch, Ben Goelz doubled and Goodwin singled down the leftfield line to tie the game. Three batter’s later Pederson came up with the walk off winner. Logan Sjoberg was the winning pitcher, the righthander lasted seven innings, allowing eight hits and five runs while striking out seven. Ben Goelz led the Blue Knights with two hits.
DCTC 7 Bay College 1
Blue Knights won big over Bay College 8-1 on Friday.
DCTC fired up the offense in the first inning, when Kirby Pieri's sac fly scored Klehr. The Blue Knights put up four runs in the sixth inning. Seth Goplen, Pieri, Mitch Goodwin, and Dalton Burns each had RBIs in the big inning. Ben Goelz led the Blue Knights to victory on the hill. Goelz lasted five and two-thirds innings, allowing six hits and one run while striking out four. Ben Cradle threw one and one-third innings in relief out of the bullpen. Cradle recorded the last four outs to earn the save. The Blue Knights tallied eight hits on the day. Klehr and Goplen each collected two hits.
DCTC 10 Bay College 5
The Blue Knights managed through a push by Bay College in the sixth inning where The Blue Knights coughed up three runs, but DCTC still won 10-5 on Saturday. DCTC opened up scoring in the second inning. Mason Primus singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. The Blue Knights scored six runs in the fourth inning. The offensive onslaught came from singles by Kirby Pieri and Ben Goelz, a triple by Mitch Goodwin, a sac fly by Nick Baker, and an error on a ball put in play by Brady Klehr. Ben Simonsen took the win. The righty surrendered five runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out six and walking one. Zach Gunderson threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Goelz and Goodwin each managed two hits.
DCTC 10 Bay College 0
Blue Knights defeated Bay College 10-0 on Saturday as three pitchers combined to throw a shutout. Blue Knights got things moving in the first inning, when Mitch Goodwin singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. Blue Knights scored five runs in the fourth inning. Blue Knights's big inning was driven by singles by Mason Primus and Michael Rasmusson, a triple by Goodwin, and a double by Seth Goplen. Brady Klehr was the winning pitcher for Blue Knights. The southpaw surrendered zero runs on two hits over three innings, striking out four. Primus and Ege entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Blue Knights had nine hits in the game. Goodwin went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Blue Knights.
Previous Games
Century College 10 DCTC 6
Both pitching staffs had their hands full on Tuesday in a high-scoring affair where Century College bested Blue Knights, 10-6. The Blue Knights got things started in the first inning with a two run homer by Mason Primus. Century battled back to score three unearned runs in the third and didn’t give up the lead after.
Klehr took the loss. The lefthander went five innings, allowing one earned run on five hits, striking out four and walking zero. The Blue Knights racked up eight hits in the game. Klehr, Primus, and Nick Baker all had multiple hits for the Blue Knights.
DCTC 3 NCMC 0
Mason Primus threw a gem on Sunday for DCTC, besting North Central Missouri College by a score of 3-0 The pitching was strong on both sides. DCTC got things started in the second inning when Nick Baker singled on a 3-1 count, scoring one run. Primus was the winning pitcher lasting seven innings, allowing four hits and zero runs while striking out three. The Blue Knights had seven hits in the game. Seth Goplen, Baker, and Brady Klehr all collected multiple hits. Goplen went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Blue Knights in hits.
DCTC 8 NCMC 7
It came down to the wire on Sunday, with Blue Knights taking victory on a dramatic walk-off sacrifice fly in the late innings that sealed their victory over North Central Missouri College. The game was tied at seven with Blue Knights batting in the bottom of the seventh when Michael Rasmusson's sac fly scored one run for Blue Knights. Bats blistered as Blue Knights collected nine hits and North Central Missouri College tallied eight in the high-scoring game. Ben Cradle was the winning pitcher.The righthander surrendered three runs on three hits over two innings, striking out one. Simonsen started the game for Blue Knights. Simonsen allowed five hits and four runs over five innings, striking out two. The Blue Knights totaled nine hits. Mason Primus, Ben Goelz, and Joe Jeans all had multiple hits. Primus went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Blue Knights in hits.
NCMC 18 DCTC 6
Saturday's game against North Central Missouri College was a heartbreaker for Blue Knights, as they lost the lead late in an 18-6 defeat. The game was tied at six with North Central Missouri College batting in the top of the fifth when Medina drew a RBI walk. Despite the loss, Blue Knights did collect 14 hits in the high-scoring affair. Unfortunately, North Central Missouri College had 14 hits on the way to victory. Allex Ege took the loss, lasting one inning, allowing zero hits and five runs. Ben Goelz started the game for the Blue Knights. The lefthander surrendered four runs on eight hits over three and two-thirds innings, striking out five. The Blue Knights saw the ball well today, racking up 14 hits in the game. Goelz, Tommy Peterson, Seth Goplen, and Michael Rasmusson each managed multiple hits. Goelz went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Blue Knights in hits.
DCTC 5 NCMC 3
Blue Knights wins contest against North Central Missouri College 5-3. DCTC put up three runs in the sixth inning. The big inning was thanks to triples by Nick Baker and Michael Rasmusson. Logan Sjoberg got the win allowing seven hits and three runs over six and a third innings, striking out five. Chase Oslin threw two-thirds of an inning in relief out of the bullpen. Oslin recorded the last two outs to earn the save. The Blue Knights racked up six hits on the day. Rasmusson and Baker each managed two hits.
NCMC 7 DCTC 1
Blue Knights struggled to get their offense going, getting easily dispatched by North Central Missouri College, 7-1. Blue Knights fired up the offense in the first inning. Mitch Goodwin grounded out, scoring one run. Chase Oslin took the loss. He allowed four hits and four runs over four innings, striking out four and walking one. Brock Goelz and Seth Goplen each had multiple hits.
NCMC 10 DCTC 8
A walk-off left Blue Knights on the wrong end of a 10-8 defeat to North Central Missouri College. North Central Missouri College trailed 8-7 in the bottom of the seventh inning when Nunez homered on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring three runs. Blue Knights trailed by five runs in the first inning, but then fought back to lower the final margin. DCTC scored eight runs in the failed comeback on a single by Brady Klehr in the third, a home run by Kirby Pieri in the third, a single by Mason Primus in the fourth, and a home run by Klehr in the fourth. DCTC put up four runs in the fourth inning. The Blue Knights's big bats in the inning were led by a single by Primus and a home run by Klehr. Ben Simonsen took the loss, surrendering ten runs on 11 hits over six innings, striking out five and walking zero. The Blue Knights socked two home runs on the day. Klehr had a four bagger in the fourth inning. Pieri had a dinger in the third inning. The Blue Knights totaled ten hits in the game. Nick Baker, Klehr, and Pieri all managed multiple hits
NCMC 11 DCTC 10
The Blue Knights fought back after falling down by four runs in the fourth inning. The comeback fell just short though, in an 11-10 defeat to North Central Missouri College on Saturday. DCTC scored three runs in the failed comeback on a single by Nick Baker in the sixth, a single by Brock Goelz in the sixth, and a single by Mitch Goodwin in the seventh. Despite the loss, the Blue Knights did collect 15 hits in the high-scoring affair. Unfortunately, North Central Missouri College had 12 hits on the way to victory. In the first inning, Blue Knights got their offense started when Baker doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs. Zach Gunderson took the loss. The righty went three and a third innings, allowing five runs on nine hits and striking out one. Ben Goelz started the game lasting two and two-thirds innings, allowing three hits and six runs while striking out five The Blue Knights tallied 15 hits in the game. Baker, Kirby Pieri, Mason Primus, Goelz, and Diego Waisanen each managed multiple hits for Blue Knights. Pieri and Baker each collected three hits
NCMC 6 DCTC 4
Saturday's game against North Central Missouri College was a heartbreaker for the Blue Knights, as they lost the lead late in a 6-4 defeat. The game was tied at four with North Central Missouri College batting in the bottom of the sixth when Nunez homered, scoring two runs. In the top of the fifth inning, the Blue Knights tied things up at four. Kirby Pieri singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. The Blue Knights scored three runs in the second inning. DCTC scored its runs on a single by Brady Klehr. Logan Sjoberg took the loss going six innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and striking out one. Klehr led DCTC with two hits in four at bats.
Blue Knights Sweep Bay College for a 3-0 lead in the Seven Game Play-In Series.
The Blue Knights Swept Bay College on over the weekend 19-2, 7-1, 10-0, and 7-3. They take a 3-0 lead in the Region XIII Play-In Series. They will now head to Trenton, MO to play a four-game set vs North Central Missouri College on April 24th and 25th.
4/16 DCTC @ Bay Game 1 DCTC 19 Bay 2
4/16 DCTC @ Bay Game 2 DCTC 7 Bay 1
4/17 DCTC @ Bay Game 3 DCTC 10 Bay 0
4/17 DCTC @ Bay (non-series game) DCTC 7 Bay 3
5/7 Bay @ DCTC Game 4
5/7 Bay @ DCTC Game 5 (if necessary or non-series game)
5/8 Bay @ DCTC Game 6 (if necessary or non-series game)
5/8 Bay @ DCTC Game 7 (if necessary or non-series game)
The winner of this series will host to the four-team double elimination Region XIII tournament on May 14th-16th.
Play-In Series Game 1
DCTC 19 Bay College 2
Mitch Goodwin drove in five on three hits to lead the Blue Knights past Bay College 19-2 on Friday. Goodwin drove in runs on a home run in the first, a triple in the second, and a double in the third. DCTC secured the victory thanks to ten runs in the third inning. Mason Primus, Ben Goelz, Goodwin, Nick Baker, Diego Waisanen, and Michael Rasmusson all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning. Logan Sjoberg was the winning pitcher. The righty threw a five-inning complete game, allowing eight hits and two runs while striking out five and walking zero. DCTC saw the ball well, racking up 12 hits in the game. Baker, Primus, and Goodwin each collected three hits.
Play-In Series Game 2
DCTC 7 Bay College 1
The Blue Knights took the lead late in the game in a 7-1 victory over Bay College on Friday. The game was tied at one with DCTC batting in the top of the fifth when Mitch Goodwin tripled scoring two runs. They victory thanks to four runs in the fifth inning. Ben Goelz, Goodwin, and Nick Baker each had RBIs in the frame. Goelz was the winning pitcher, allowing five hits and one run while striking out nine. Zach Gunderson threw two innings in relief to earn the save. DCTC had eight hits in the game. Goelz and Kirby Pieri each collected multiple hits. The Blue Knights tore up the base paths with eight stolen bases. Goodwin led the way with three.
Play-In Series Game 3
DCTC 10 Bay College 0
Ben Simonsen didn't allow a single run against Bay College, throwing a complete game shutout and leading the Blue Knights to a 10-0 victory on Saturday. DCTC got things moving in the first inning, when Ben Goelz got an RBI single. They put up three runs in the fourth inning. Goelz and Mitch Goodwin moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning. Simonsen earned the victory on the hill. The righty went five innings, allowing zero runs on two hits, striking out two and walking one. DCTC racked up 13 hits on the day. Brady Klehr, Tommy Peterson, Mason Primus, and Diego Waisanen each racked up multiple hits for Blue Knights. Klehr went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Blue Knights in hits. The Blue Knights stole eight bases during the game as three players stole more than one. Seth Goplen led the way with two.
DCTC 7 Bay College 3
The Blue Knights takes victory on Saturday to the tune of 7-3. In the first inning, the Blue Knights got their offense started when Nick Goebert threw a wild pitch allowing one run across the plate. DCTC pulled away for good with a two-run homer by Mitch Goodwin in the third inning. They scored three runs in the sixth inning led by a single by Diego Waisanen and a double by Goodwin. Allex Ege pitched the Blue Knights to victory. The righty allowed one hit and one run over four innings, striking out six and walking zero. Mason Primus started the game. Primus went three innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out six and walking zero. DCTC scattered six hits in the game. Brady Klehr and Goodwin each racked up multiple hits. Klehr led the Blue Knights with two stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with nine stolen bases.
The Blue Knights Swept Anoka Ramsey on Saturday 10-1 and 12-0 (recaps below). They were cancelled
Sunday versus St. Thomas JV (schedule conflict) and Bethel JV (St. Paul Curfew) on Monday. They head
to Bay College in Escanaba, MI for a four-game set. The first three games are a part of the Region XIII
Play-In Series.
4/16 DCTC @ Bay Game 1
4/16 DCTC @ Bay Game 2
4/17 DCTC @ Bay Game 3
4/17 DCTC @ Bay (non-series game)
5/7 Bay @ DCTC Game 4
5/7 Bay @ DCTC Game 5 (if necessary or non-series game)
5/8 Bay @ DCTC Game 6 (if necessary or non-series game)
5/8 Bay @ DCTC Game 7 (if necessary or non-series game)
The winner of this series will host to the four-team double elimination Region XIII tournament on May
14th-16th.
DCTC 10 Anoka Ramsey 1
The Blue Knights easily did away with Anoka Ramsey CC 10-1 on Saturday. Logan Sjoberg earned the
victory on the mound allowing three hits and one run over five innings, striking out seven. Allex Ege
threw two innings in relief. The Blue Knights racked up 12 hits on the day. Tommy Peterson added a
homer in the seventh inning. Kirby Pieri and Peterson both had multiple hits.
DCTC 12 Anoka Ramsey 0
DCTC defeated Anoka Ramsey CC 12-0 on Saturday as three pitchers combined to throw a shutout.
Garrett Boblitt induced a fly out to finish off the game. Ben Goelz led the Blue Knights to victory on the
pitcher's mound. The southpaw allowed two hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out four and
walking none. Mason Primus and Boblitt helped to close out the game in relief. Blue Knights hit four
home runs in the game by Mitch Goodwin, Seth Goplen, Kirby Pieri and Diego Waisanen. DCTC totaled
nine hits in the game. Waisanen and Pieri each had multiple hits for the Blue Knights.
The baseball team is 5-1 in its last six games. Unfortunately, they have had to cancel games versus Minnesota St CTC and Century College because of Covid Protocols. They look to get back on the field soon.
DCTC 3 Madison College 2
Both teams were strong on the pitcher's mound Monday, but the Blue Knights defeated Madison College 3-2. DCTC pitchers allowed just five hits to Madison College. Logan Sjoberg was the winning pitcher for the Blue Knights. Sjoberg surrendered two runs on four hits over six innings, striking out six. Chase Oslin recorded the last three outs to earn the save. Tommy Peterson led Blue Knights with two hits including a 2-run homer in the fourth inning.
Madison College 3 DCTC 0
Cradle took the loss for Blue Knights. Cradle surrendered one run on three hits over three innings, striking out two. Michael Rasmusson and Ben Goelz each collected hits for the Blue Knights.
DCTC 11 Hibbing CC 4
Blue Knights won big over Hibbing CC 11-4 on Saturday. In the first inning, the Blue Knights got their offense started. DCTC scored one run when Nick Baker singled. The Blue Knight’s bats in the inning were led by an error on a ball put in play by Mason Primus and Diego Waisanen, a walk by Brock Goelz, and a home run by Kirby Pieri. Baker led DCTC with two hits in three at bats. Ben Simonsen was the winning pitcher lasting four innings, allowing one hit and two runs while striking out three. Zack Gunderson recorded the last nine outs to earn the save for Blue Knights.
DCTC 11 Hibbing CC 1
Mitch Goodwin was clutch at the plate with runners on base on Saturday, driving in five on three hits to lead the Blue Knights past Hibbing CC 11-1. Goodwin drove in runs on a double in the first, a triple in the second, a triple in the third, and a hit by pitch in the fifth. The Blue Knights got things started in the first inning Kirby Pieri doubled in a run. Goodwin and Diego Waisanen both had multiple hits. Goodwin led Blue Knights with three hits in three at bats. Goelz earned the victory on the hill. The lefthander lasted five innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out seven.
DCTC 4 Northwestern 3
The Blue Knights scores more runs than Northwestern JV, takes victory on Friday to the tune of 4-3. DCTC pulled away for good with two runs in the fourth inning. Joe Jeans doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run and Ben Goelz's sac fly scored another run for the Blue Knights. Ben Simonsen was the winning pitcher lasting five and two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out five. Chase Oslin and Zach Gunderson entered the game out of the bullpen to close out the game in relief. Oslin recorded the last three outs to earn the save for the Blue Knights.
DCTC 11 Northwestern JV 4
Blue Knights defeated Northwestern JV 11-4 thanks to seven runs in the third inning. The Blue Knights big bats in the inning were led by a single by Mason Primus, a sac fly by Joe Jeans, by Primus, an error on a ball put in play by Kirby Pieri, and a double by Dalton Burns. Ben Goelz and Burns managed multiple hits. Allex Ege earned the victory out of the bullpen. He went three and a third innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out two and walking one. Garrett Boblitt threw the final inning. Dalton Fouquette started the game surrendering no runs on two hits over two and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking one.
Dakota County Technical College head baseball coach Matthew Erzar has announced the 2021 baseball schedule on Friday, February 18th.
The Blue Knights will open the season with 11 games in 14 days with four out of the five opponents being ranked on one of the major junior college rankings. Six of those games we be played at US Bank Stadium beginning with a doubleheader versus Iowa Lake Community College on Tuesday, March 2nd at 12pm. The following weekend, they will head to Council Bluffs IA to play a four-game series vs Nationally Ranked Iowa Western Community College (Mar. 6- 7). The next week they will play North Iowa Area Community College at US Bank Stadium (Mar. 10), Iowa Central Community College at Fort Dodge, IA (Mar. 13), and back at US Bank Stadium for match up vs Madison College (Mar. 15)
After the last games in US Bank, they head to Luther College to play a doubleheader in Decorah, IA (Mar. 22). Then they have their first home series with University of Northwestern (Mar.27) and Minnesota State Community and Technical College (Mar. 28). The following week they will go on to play a home and away with Century College (Apr. 2-3). Then their last week before their sub-region series, they will host Rochester Community and Technical College (Apr. 7) head to Anoka Ramsey Community College (Apr. 10) and home verses St. Thomas (Apr. 11).
In the heart of the month of April, DCTC and Bay College will play a seven-game series over two weekends for a spot in the NJCAA D2 Region XIII playoffs. The winner of this series will host to the four-team double elimination Region XIII tournament on May 14th-16th. The East Sub Region series will be played as follows:
4/16 DCTC @ Bay Game 1
4/16 DCTC @ Bay Game 2
4/17 DCTC @ Bay Game 3
4/18 DCTC @ Bay (non-series game)
5/7 Bay @ DCTC Game 4
5/7 Bay @ DCTC Game 5 (if necessary or non-series game)
5/8 Bay @ DCTC Game 6 (if necessary or non-series game)
5/8 Bay @ DCTC Game 7 (if necessary or non-series game)
In the middle of the East Sub Region seven game series, DCTC will play a home and away with North Central Missouri College on the weekends of April 24th - 25th and May 1st – 2nd, and mid-week at Century College (Apr. 28).
The top four teams in the Region advance to the Region XIII championship May 14-16 hosted by the East Sub-Region Winner.
Winner of the Region XIII Championship will travel to the Winner of the Region XI (ICCAC Tournament Champion) for the North Plains District Championship, a three-game series.
Winner of the North Plains District heads to Enid, OK for the NJCAA D2 College World Series.
Players and coaches help distribute food at Pop-Up Produce Drive Thru
The Blue Knights baseball team at Dakota County Technical College volunteered to distribute food at The Open Door (TOD) Pop-Up Produce Drive-Thru at Metcalf Middle School in Burnsville, Minnesota. Players and coaches worked outdoors alongside TOD associates for three hours Tuesday afternoon, February 2, 2021.
Matt Erzar
DCTC Head Baseball Coach Matt Erzar was happy to see his players doing their part to alleviate hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic when so many people are facing food insecurity.
“It was great to see our young men working together to help out our community,” Coach Erzar said. “I believe our guys now have a greater appreciation for The Open Door organization. They were very surprised by how much food was given out, and I was blown away how quickly we got the families in and out with their food.”
Dana Kiecker
Assistant Baseball Coach Dana Kiecker was also on hand that afternoon to participate in the food-distribution operation.
“It takes an entire baseball roster to work cooperatively to be successful on the diamond,” Coach Kiecker said. “The DCTC Blue Knights baseball team worked cooperatively with The Open Door Pop-Up Produce Drive Thru to bring hope, smiles and nutritious food to people in Dakota County.”
Nick Baker: Blue Knight Q & A
Nick Baker
Nick Baker
Age: 20
Hometown: Cloquet, Minnesota
Academic Program: Individualized Studies
Baseball team position: Catcher
Why are you volunteering at The Open Door and what does your community service mean to you?
Coach Dana is pretty big into it right now. I’m just looking for an opportunity to help out when I can. Makes you feel good, too.
What do you love about playing baseball for the Blue Knights?
It’s different than other teams. It feels like a family, like a brotherhood. Growing up, I would play baseball with my twin brother, and now I’ve lost him, but I gained 30 more brothers here at DCTC.
What do you like most about your education at DCTC?
It’s fun! Real nice, straight forward. There are good teachers who are willing to help with any issues, lots of one-on-one time.
Recent hunger-related statistics
One in four Minnesotans are currently having trouble covering their household expenses
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Emergency Food System was already at capacity
Since March 2020, Dakota County has been deluged with 91,538 unemployment claims
Minimum wage = needing to work 75 hours/week to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Dakota County
DCTC baseball at The Open Door gallery¹
View more event photos on DCTC Flickr by visiting:
Blue Knights Baseball Volunteers at The Open Door
Jason Viana: TOD executive director perspective
From the beginning of the pandemic, everyone at TOD was of the mindset: How do we get it done? And it was exciting trying to figure out new ways to do things we have been doing for a long time.
One of the biggest things we have done is our large-scale, drive- thru distributions so people could access food in a way they felt safe and kept our volunteers safe.
One of the reasons why I chose to get involved in The Open Door is because this organization is such a tangible way to make an impact.
Jason Viana
Executive Director
The Open Door
More about The Open Door…
Sarah O’Brien serves as development and communications manager at The Open Door (TOD). Sarah reported that The Open Door is a hunger-relief organization dedicated to ending local hunger through access to healthy food.
“TOD has grown from a closet in a church to the largest food shelf in Dakota County,” she said. “We provide fresh and healthy food to more than 14,000 people per month through a combination of innovative programs. The event where the DCTC baseball team volunteered is our large-scale food distribution operation at Metcalf Middle School.”
Sarah noted that limited, unreliable or nonexistent transportation creates a barrier that is often perpetuated by the fact that Dakota County lacks connective public transportation within neighborhoods.
“Buses can take you to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul, but often cannot take you to the grocery store,” she said. “Not every food-shelf client can easily travel to TOD’s Eagan Pantry, a traditional bricks-and-mortar site offering monthly appointments with a curbside-pickup option as well as a socially distanced, indoor ‘shopping’ option.”
Since 2012, TOD has responded with the county’s only mobile food distribution program, which brings the Mobile Pantry via bus or box truck to 30 neighborhood sites. Amid COVID-19, TOD has been working with partners to use existing structures in creative ways, establishing weekly large-scale drive-through distributions in four cities.
“Our most recent location is Metcalf Middle School in Burnsville,” Sarah said. “We are at this site weekly on Tuesdays; we have been at Metcalf since November 2020 and plan to be there until May 2021 at minimum.”
The Open Door: Fast facts
TOD has grown from serving 7,000 clients in 2019 to 14,000 people each month. TOD programs have more than doubled the number of opportunities clients have to access food growing from 29,000 visits in 2019 to more than 60,000 visits in 2020.
Sixty-seven percent of the nearly 2.7 million pounds of food distributed has been fresh and perishable. TOD welcomed 31,548 new clients in 2020.
In January, the Metcalf Middle School Large-Scale Drive-Thru distributed 155,325 pounds of food to 2,076 households. The Drive-Thru served 9,847 people total: 4,335 children, 4,386 adults and 1,126 seniors.
Sara Garcia: TOD coordinator perspective…
TOD teammates: Kiersten Johnson, Sara Garcia, Audrey Lomax
I started working for The Open Door in May of 2019 as an AmeriCorps service member. In October of 2019, I took over the mobile food program coordinator position. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined something like the pandemic. It has been an amazing experience to be a front-line worker during this time, and this is something I will never forget.
Sara Garcia
One of the most inspiring things to have come out of the pandemic is the immense volunteer support we have had. Before COVID, most of our volunteers were seniors who have been working with us for many years. They were in the group of high-risk individuals if they were to contract COVID-19. Many had to make the hard decision to stay home for their safety.
We have had so many community members step up to serve their neighbors. It has been so amazing to meet all these new volunteers and hear their stories of how COVID has impacted their lives and what has motivated them to volunteer with us.
We have volunteers from all age groups and backgrounds coming together to serve their community. It has been such a heartwarming experience watching everyone come together for the greater good of the community.
Our volunteers have been with us through the ups and the downs of the pandemic, the scorching heat and now the icy cold, and even some crazy snowstorms. Many of our volunteers at our Metcalf distributions have been volunteering with us since the spring—rain, shine or lots of snow, they are there working with us to get the food out.
Sara Garcia
Mobile Food Program Coordinator
The Open Door
More about DCTC Blue Knights baseball…
The Blue Knights baseball team at Dakota County Technical College competes at the NJCAA Division II level in Region XIII. The Blue Knights play home games at Ames Field on the college’s campus in Rosemount, Minnesota.
The team played only 12 games in 2019–20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finishing the abbreviated season with a record of 8–4. You can view the upcoming season by visiting 2020–21 Blue Knights Baseball Schedule.
Learn more about The Open Door by contacting:
Jason Viana
Executive Director
The Open Door
612-390-5613
Sarah O’Brien
Development & Communications Manager
651-888-0630
Learn more about DCTC Blue Knights baseball by contacting:
Matthew Erzar
Head Baseball Coach
Dakota County Technical College
651-423-8462
The Blue Knights Baseball team is receiving votes in the NJCAA DII National pre-season poll. The team finds themselves just outside the nations top 20! DCTC Baseball was 8-4 in the 2020 season that was shortened due to COVID-19.
The schedule for Blue Knights Baseball will be officially released in early February, with scheduling in US Bank Stadium.
Click below to view the National Poll:
https://www.njcaa.org/sports/bsb/rankings/DII/index
21 DCTC athletes continuing their education at colleges and universities in 10 states
Twenty-one student-athletes in five NJCAA sports at Dakota County Technical College are transferring to four-year colleges and universities to continue their education. Many will be going on to compete in their respective sports.
Baseball
Parker Savard
Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School
Position: IF
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Major: Education
Learn more about Parker by reading The Sudbury Star news story:
“Savard ready for next step: Sudbury native to continue collegiate career at St. Cloud State”
Jonah Lewis
Hometown: Minnetrista, Minnesota
Minnetonka High School
Position: IF/P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota
Major: Biology
Learn more about Jonah by reading the CSP Athletics article:
“Baseball announces three additions to 2021 signing class”
Henry Laue
Hometown: Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Mahtomedi High School
Position: 1B
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Major: Environmental Studies
Caleb Ditmarson*
Hometown: Willmar, Minnesota
Willmar High School
Position: P/UT
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Major: Pre-Law
Shane Brown
Hometown: Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Mahtomedi High School
Position: OF
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: University of Minnesota Morris, Morris Minnesota
Major: Undecided
Connor Merton
Hometown: Perth, Australia
Trinity College
Position: P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota
Major: Sports Management
John McCaustlin
Hometown: Prior Lake, Minnesota
Prior Lake High School
Position: P
DCTC major: Business Administration
Transfer school: Saint Mary’s University, Winona Campus, Winona, Minnesota
Major: Business Management
Garrett Hoffman
Hometown: Anoka, Minnesota
Anoka High School
Position: C
DCTC major: Small Business Entrepreneur Certificate & Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota
Major: Business
Ethan Cernohous
Hometown: Bulverde, Texas
Smithson Valley High School
Position: UT/P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: University of Pikeville, Pikeville, Kentucky
Major: Criminal Justice
Teddy Tauer*
Hometown: Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing High School
Position: P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Keiser University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Major: Psychology
Basketball
Harlyn Owens II
Harlyn Owens II
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
St. Vincent Palotti High School
Position: G
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Minnesota State University Mankato, Mankato, Minnesota
Major: Sports Management
Learn more about Harlyn by reading the Minnesota State Mavericks article:
“Owens II Joins Minnesota State Men’s Basketball Team”
…and the DCTC News story:
“Student-Athlete Spotlight: Harlyn Owens II”
Daevonte Munson
Daevmonte Munson
Hometown: Roseville, Minnesota
Roseville High School
Position: G
DCTC major: Sports Management
Transfer school: Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota
Major: Sports Management
Learn more about Daevonte by reading the DCTC News story:
“DCTC Basketball Update”
Lorenzo Smith
Lorenzo Smith
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnehaha Academy
Position: P
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Waldorf University, Forest City, Iowa
Major: Sports Management
Learn more about Lorenzo by reading the Waldorf U Warriors article:
“Waldorf men’s basketball adds All-American, MVP and other star players in 2020 recruiting class”
…and the DCTC News story:
“DCTC Basketball Update”
Dashawn Walker
Dashawn Walker
Hometown: Harkers Heights, Texas
Harkers Heights High School
Position: F
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska
Major: Undecided
Learn more about Dashawn by reading the DCTC News story:
“DCTC Basketball Update”
Amitri Collins-Westlund
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Highland Park High School
Position: G
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Goal: Southern University System, Louisiana
Major: Undecided
Learn more about Amitri by reading the DCTC News story:
“DCTC Basketball Update”
Volleyball
Abigail Shaffer
Hometown: Merritt Island, Florida
Merritt Island High School
Position: L/DS
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: King University, Bristol, Tennessee
Major: Business
Anika Weber*
Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota
Lakeville North High School
Position: S/OPP
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: University of Wisconsin–River Falls, River Falls, Wisconsin
Major: Business Administration Management
MacKenna Johnson*
Hometown: Grantsburg, Wisconsin
Grantsburg High School
Position: OPP
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Dickinson State University, Dickinson, North Dakota
Major: Business Administration
Softball
Bailey Larkin
Hometown: Shoreview, Minnesota
High School
Position: OF/SS
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Mayville State University, Mayville, North Dakota
Major: Business Administration
Learn more about Bailey by reading “Bailey Larkin Signs with Mayville State” on GoBlueKnights.com
Kalley Partyka
Hometown: West St. Paul, Minnesota
Henry Sibley High School
Position: C
DCTC major: Business Administration
Transfer school: College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, Minnesota
Major: Business Marketing
Men’s Soccer
Erick Fuentes
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington Kennedy High School
Position: M
DCTC major: Individualized Studies
Transfer school: Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa
Major: Undecided
Learn more about Blue Knights NJCAA athletics at DCTC by contacting:
Marki Struensee
Athletic Coordinator
651-423-8641
* NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Award nominee
DCTC Blue Knights Host Golf Tournament Fundraiser
September 07, 2023The DCTC Blue Knights hosted the annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser at Emerald Greens Golf Course on August 26th. The fundraiser helps support current and future Blue Knight student-athletes, and had a great turnout that included many Blue Knights athletes, staff, friends, family, partners, and supporters.
