Voyageurs Baseball Closes Regular Season Sweeping Norse

The Rainy River Voyageurs baseball team closed out the regular season in strong fashion, sweeping a Friday doubleheader on the road against Mesabi Range.
In game one, the Voyageurs knocked off the Norse 6-to-4 at Rock Ridge High School. Rainy River jumped in front early when Ben Bridges launched a three-run homer to left in the first inning. Preston Dyok picked up the win on the mound, working five and a third innings, while Grayson Alexander earned the save. Bridges drove in three runs, and Kamren Atanes along with Kilian Ridder each had two hits. The Voyageurs also turned two double plays defensively.

Then in game two, Rainy River built a seven-run cushion before holding off a late Mesabi comeback for an 8-to-6 win.
Once again, Bridges provided the spark, belting a solo home run and finishing with three RBIs while going two-for-two at the plate. Kilian Ridder and Tomas Padilla each collected three hits in the victory.
Collin Haymond earned the win after six solid innings, and Jordan Martin shut the door for the save.

The Rainy River Voyageurs closed out the regular season at home Saturday with another strong performance, beating Mesabi Range 8 to 6 in game one of a doubleheader at Scheela Field. The Voyageurs built an early seven-run cushion, then held off a late Norse rally to secure the win.
Damian Griffin was outstanding on the mound, striking out 12 over five innings while allowing just one hit and no runs. Offensively, Rainy River struck early with RBI hits from Ben Bridges, Gerardo Alcantar Jr., and Ezra Kanakaole in the first inning, then added insurance runs later in the game.
Afterward, Griffin said the key was trusting his stuff and his defense behind him.

Gerardo Alcantar Jr. said the lineup finally started putting things together at the plate.

With the postseason next, Christian Cortes says the focus remains simple.

The Rainy River Voyageurs completed the four-game sweep of Mesabi Range Saturday, shutting out the Norse 3 to nothing in game two of their final regular-season doubleheader at Scheela Field.
With the win, the Voyageurs finished the regular season 26 and 19, setting a new program record for most wins in school history and punching their ticket to the regional tournament.
Head coach Josh Koenig says the accomplishment means a lot to the program.

Joshua Barrios got the start in game two and delivered a complete-game five inning shutout. After battling through a shoulder injury earlier this year, he said it was a special way to end the regular season.

The Voyageurs also leaned on strong defense all day. Catcher Hunter Clements said trust has been key.

Now Rainy River heads into the postseason riding a four-game winning streak. Killian Ridder say they’ll enjoy it briefly, then get right back to work.

They now look ahead to the playoffs where they’ve secured the #2 seed in the MCAC North.