Riverland's bats broke out like the sun finally emerging from behind the clouds, battering Rochester Community and Technical College in the first game of an MCCC split Tuesday afternoon.

The most moderate day to hit the area yet, the Riverland baseball team welcomed the weather with a hot day at the plate in game one. RCTC countered to take game two, but not before Riverland racked up 17 hits in the opener.

Luke Larson erupted from his early season slump with a 4-for-4 plate performance, including a double and his first home run of the season. Sean Breslin finished 3-4 with two runs scored, and Michael Nastav was 3-4 with a double and five RBIs.

John Roesler was the beneficiary of the bountiful bats, throwing six precision innings for the victory. Matt Nalan and Larson shared the final inning to close out the win.

Riverland scored four runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings, including Larson's solo homer to lead off the fifth. Nastav's double emptied the bases, which were walked full. Jeff Kvam, Jacob Frey and Breslin all reached by base-on-balls to set the table for Nastav.

Jamie Morrison's leadoff single in the sixth starting things, followed by Larson's RBI-double to deep center. One out later, Kvam drove in Larson with Riverland's 10th run. Breslin reached with an infield single, and Nastav plated Kvam with his fourth hit of the game. Josh Kunze, who's hitting torrid streak continued, doubled in Breslin.

Breslin was the hard-luck loser in game two, surrendering four earned runs and six total in Rochester's 8-6 victory. The Yellowjackets scored three runs in the top of the sixth to take the 8-6 lead, but Riverland loaded the bases in the seventh before finishing the inning scoreless.

Riverland committed seven errors in the doubleheader, including three costly miscues in the nightcap that coupled with four walks and two wild pitches in the sixth.

"It's not so much the physical errors now, it's the mental ones that are kind of beating us," Riverland head coach Dave Meyer said. "Our pitchers are doing great, they're keeping us in every ballgame."

Breslin struck out 10, allowed five hits, walked two and hit two batters in the defeat. Brian Hill and Jeff Geisler combined for the final two innings on the mound, allowing no RCTC hits.

The Blue Devils racked up nine hits off Rochester starter Tim Walker, who went 6 2/3 innings for the win. Pete Jasperson shut the door with the final out, coming on with the bases loaded for the save.

Morrison led Riverland's bats with a 2-3 game, including an RBI-double. Nastav was 1-2 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Frey went 1-3 with three runs scored.

The Blue Devils (2-6, 2-4) head north for the weekend series at Anoka-Ramsey on Friday and North Hennepin on Saturday. Friday's doubleheader begins at 2 p.m, while Saturday's twinbill starts at 1 p.m.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.