Blue Knights Win NJCAA Region 13 Tourney

DCTC baseball defeats Williston State 10–5 in final; drops two games to Southeast CC in Districts

The Dakota County Technical College baseball team (21–14) defeated the Williston State College Tetons (21–19) 10–5 Sunday, May 11, 2014, to win the NJCAA Region 13 Tournament at Afeldt Stadium on the Williston campus in Williston, N.D. To reach the final and their second consecutive Region 13 championship, the Blue Knights rolled over the Bismarck State College Mystics 12–4 on Friday, May 9, and then slammed the Tetons by the same score on Saturday, May 10.

In the first game against the Mystics, Chase Lonetti, sophomore, CF, of Woodbury, Minn., went three for five at the plate, singling in the fifth, seventh and eighth innings, and scored two runs. Sophomore Tyler Smith (3–0) of Brooklyn Park, Minn., got the win, throwing seven strikeouts while allowing one earned run on four hits and four walks over seven and two thirds innings.

Freshman Victor Marin, C, of Miami, Fla., went four for five and scored three runs, doubling in the sixth inning and singling in the second, fourth and ninth innings in the second game against the Tetons. Sophomore Joel Klinkhammer (4–1) of Lakeville, Minn., got the win, striking out 13 while allowing four runs on nine hits over six innings.

The Blue Knights put together 14 hits in the final, going ahead 10–1 by the seventh inning. Sophomore Chris Gaynor, 2B, of Longwood, Fla., got three hits at five at bats with 1 RBI. Chase Lonetti went two for three, including a home run, scoring twice and getting three RBIs. Sophomore Josh Pierce (5–2) of Minneapolis, Minn., got the win, striking out five while allowing one run on four hits. Sophomore Roy Hotvedt of Perth, Australia, got the save.

Coach Trent Seaman reported that DCTC starting pitchers, Tyler Smith, Joel Klinkhammer and Josh Pierce, pitched full games. “Because our starting pitching was so good, we were in great position even if we lost a game with so many fresh bodies still left to come in and pitch,” Seaman said. “I can’t say enough about the job they did. They really competed; they pounded the strike zone, and kept their pitch counts down, things we have been preaching all year.”

Seaman added that the Knights received offensive performances from everyone in the lineup, scoring 34 runs in three games. “I don’t want to point any individual out, because everyone had a great weekend at the plate,” he said. “We don’t ever talk about scoring runs, but really preach putting together quality at bats. If we put quality at bats together, the runs will come, and, boy, did they come in bunches this weekend. There was no question our players stayed focused and committed.”

DCTC advanced to the NJCAA North Plains District Championship May 17–18, 2014, hosted by Region 11 champion, Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa. Joining the Blue Knights and Black Hawks in the Districts were the Southeast Community College Storm from Beatrice, Neb.

DCTC defeated Southeastern 7–3 in the first game on Saturday, but lost to Southeast 8–5 in the second game. On Sunday, DCTC lost to Southeast 4–3. Southeastern beat Southeast 9–4 in the final game to move on to the 2014 NJCAA DII Baseball World Series at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Okla., May 24–31.

DCTC vs Bethel University JV | @home April 26, 2014 | 14–8 Blue Knights

Player spotlights

Kyle Banyard
Age: 20
Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.
Residence now: Burnsville, Minn.
Program area: Individualized Studies
Degree: A.S.
Year: Sophomore
Position: 2B, OF
Number: 7

Kyle Banyard, a 2012 graduate of the Academy of Holy Angels, picked DCTC for chance to play for the Blue Knights. Kyle likes his instructors, pointing out that they communicate well and step up for their students. He also likes the small class sizes at a two-year college.

Kyle considers baseball a mental game. He likes that you always need to be thinking on the field. He also likes that the flow of the game is not fast-paced. NCAA baseball is something he would like to pursue after DCTC. His career plans are centered on business and marketing. Kyle Spencer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, and lifting weights.

Kyle Banyard 2013–2014 stats

Batting

• Games: 19
  
• Average: .453
  
• Runs: 14
  
• Hits: 24
  
• Doubles: 7
  
• Triples: 1
  
• SB: 3
  
• RBI: 18
  
• On base percentage: .517
  
• Slugging percentage: .623
  

For all 2013–2014 statistics, visit:
NJCAA Baseball: Dakota County Technical College

Spencer Brooks
Age: 20
Hometown: Mendota Heights, Minn.
Residence now: Mendota Heights, Minn.
Program area: Individualized Studies
Degree: A.S.
Year: Sophomore
Position: 2B, OF
Number: 2

A 2012 graduate of Henry Sibley High School, Spencer Brooks has been playing baseball since he was 4-years-old. Spencer chose DCTC specifically for the college’s strong baseball program. He also knew Head Coach Trent Seaman. He is impressed by his instructors at DCTC, noting that they have a good rapport with their students.

Spencer loves baseball for the variety of skills you need to play. He is undecided about his baseball plans for after DCTC, but is considering playing NCAA ball for the Red Hawks of Mount Clair State University. His career plans are focused on sports management, working in the front office of a pro franchise. Spencer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, bass fishing and listening to music.

Spencer Brooks 2013–2014 stats

Batting

• Games: 17
  
• Average: .262
  
• Runs: 11
  
• Hits: 11
  
• Doubles: 1
  
• Triples: 2
  
• SB: 3
  
• RBI: 9
  
• On base percentage: .340
  
• Slugging percentage: .381
  

For all 2013–2014 statistics, visit:
NJCAA Baseball: Dakota County Technical College

For more information about Blue Knights baseball at Dakota County Technical College, contact:

• Trent Seaman
  Baseball Head Coach
  651-423-8223