Riverland Community College held off a late rally to defeat Rochester Community and Technical College 4-3 on April 26, securing a key MCAC Southern Division series victory.

Riverland (30-12, 12-4) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, taking advantage of a Rochester error to plate the game's first run. The Devils extended their lead in the fifth inning with a three-run surge. Sophomore RHP Peyton Ransom (Austin, MN) got things started with an RBI double before freshman 1B Carson Gehrke (Oregon, WI) followed with an RBI double of his own. Sophomore RF Dave Gonzaga (Santa Isabel, PR) capped the inning with an RBI single to give Riverland a 4-0 advantage.

Rochester (18-15, 7-5) responded in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run single, cutting the deficit in half. The Yellowjackets threatened again in the seventh, scoring a run on a Riverland error to make it 4-3, but the Devils were able to close the door.

Ransom (5-0) earned the win on the mound, pitching 6.1 innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits. He struck out six and worked through multiple tight situations. Gonzaga came on in relief and recorded the final two outs to secure the victory.

Offensively, Gonzaga led the way with a 3-for-4 performance and an RBI. Gehrke and Ransom each added an RBI and a double, while freshman SS Christiaan Koehler (Red Wing, MN) scored a run and reached base twice.