Knights topple Century in east subregional playoffs
DCTC advanced to the NJCAA Region 13 tournament by first defeating Western Technical College 13–3 May 6, 2011, at Century College in White Bear Lake, Minn., in the opening game of the east subregional playoffs, which featured independent teams from the eastern section of Region 13. That same day, the Blue Knights faced the Century College Wood Ducks, losing the first game 4–8 in the best-of-three match-up, but going on to sweep a doubleheader the next day, 11–7 and 6–3, the latter game going two extra innings. Century was ranked #8 in the latest NJCAA Men’s Baseball DIII Top 10 National Poll.
“The third game against Century was the best game we took part in all year,” said DCTC Head Coach Randy Briesacher. “Both teams went back and forth until the top of the ninth. We scored three runs off three hits and then shut down Century in the second half of the inning. Brett Smith pitched three scoreless innings in relief and got the win.”
In the first round of the NJCAA Region 13 tournament, the Blue Knights play the Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls Spartans at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud, Minn. DCTC is seeded #3 in the tourney.
If DCTC emerges as the NJCAA Region 13 champion, they will advance to the NJCAA Division III Baseball National Championship Tournament May 21, 2011, in Tyler, Texas. Last year, the Blue Knights, who finished the season 32–17, came within one run of going to the DIII World Series, losing 4–5 to the Ridgewater College Warriors in the finals of the regional tourney.
Coach Briesacher is looking for a different outcome this year. “We’ve got the momentum and are playing our best baseball of the season,” he said. “We’re not looking past anyone, but Texas is definitely our goal.”
NJCAA East Subregional DCTC Playoff Results (click scores for Box score, Play-by-play & Line score)
- May 6, 2011 | Western Technical College | 11 a.m. | Century College W: 13–3
- May 6, 2011 | Century College | 4 p.m. | Century College | L: 4–8
- May 7, 2011 | Century College | 12 p.m. | Century College | W: 11–7
- May 7, 2011 | Century College | 2:30 p.m. | Century College | W: 6–3 9 innings
