Thief River Falls, Minn. - 

The Northland baseball team is scheduled to host Minnesota North College - Vermilion for a pair of doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7 at Pioneer Field. Game one is at 1 p.m. both days.   
The Pioneers went 18-20 overall and 10-10 against MCAC Northern Division foes during the 2023 season. The 2023 Pioneers entered the final weekend of the regular season with hopes of a berth in the NJCAA Region 13 playoffs very much alive.     
The top three teams in each MCAC division qualify for the Region 13 Tournament. The Pioneers were tied with the Ironhawks for the third spot, with both teams having an 8-8 division record going into the final series.     
The Pioneers claimed the first two games of the series over the Ironhawks by scores of 4-2 and 13-7 and held the third spot in the standings outright, but the Ironhawks countered with 16-7 and 14-7 wins on the final day of the regular season to force a tie for the final playoff spot. The tiebreaker went to the Ironhawks.     
Jonathan Lund was hired in July 2023 as the 12th head coach in the history of the Northland baseball program. He replaced Rich Loomis, who coached the Pioneers during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.     
Lund's squad is 7-9 so far in 2024.     
"Throughout the non-conference chunk of our season, we were able to learn a lot and continue to get better," Lund said. "We have had our ups and downs, but have played some very good baseball at times during the season so far. The biggest task for us heading into the conference season is to keep building on sustaining more consistent play from game to game. If we can do that, it will be very exciting to see where we can finish at the end of the season. We are currently sitting at 7-9 overall heading into conference play."     
Back from last year's team are sophomores Auden Venegas, infielder, Odessa, Texas; Odhan Manhas, pitcher/infielder, Duncan, BC; Isaac Mata, pitcher/catcher/outfielder, San Antonio, Texas; Connor Hoyt, pitcher/outfielder, Jamestown, N.D.; Tom Gust, pitcher, East Grand Forks; Jonathan Perez, pitcher/infielder, San Antonio, Texas; Jonathan Campos, outfielder, Converse, Texas.     
Manhas appeared in 24 games and led all freshmen in hits - 35, doubles - nine, batting average - .507, and slugging - .725.     
Hoyt, Mata and Lopez also put up good numbers offensively during the 2023 season. Hoyt batted .356 with a .478 on-base percentage and .466 slugging percentage, and he tied for third on the team with 17 RBI and led the team with 15 stolen bases.     
Mata batted .298 with an on-base percentage of .469, while slugging .404., and Lopez batted .284 with an on-base of .368 and .459 slugging.     
Mata, who also logged a lot of innings behind the plate, led all freshmen in innings pitched with 20.1 spread out over five appearances and four starts. He struck out 19 batters in his 20 innings of work. He also threw a five-inning complete game no-hitter in the Pioneers' 14-0 win over MState on April 9, 2023.     
Manhas was the Pioneers' top pitcher in terms of earned run average, allowing three earned runs in 13 innings of work over two starts and three total appearances.     Perez and Gust also pitched double-digit inning totals, with Perez logging 12-and-a-third innings over four appearances, all of which were starts, and Gust logging 10 innings primarily as a reliever.     "The sophomores have done a good job of leading in different ways throughout the year," Lund said. "You always look to your sophomores to be the ones to help set the standard and want them to lead by example. A couple guys have taken a step above, becoming vocal leaders as well. The sophomores have been a great group adapting to the different changes that were brought in, as well as help pave the way for what future years will bring."     
Newcomers to the team are freshmen Cooper Lawrence, pitcher/outfielder, Thief River Falls; Dennis Ashley, pitcher/utility, Waubun;  Gamaliel Vasquez, first baseman/outfielder, Tucson, Ariz.; Tyler Tamez, pitcher/infielder, Williston, N.D.; Justin Amesquita, pitcher/first baseman/outfielder, San Antonio, Texas; Jacob Pascal, pitcher/outfielder, Converse, Texas; and Aidan Powell, pitcher, Manville, Texas.     
"The newcomers have all had their moments where we have seen very good things," Lund said. "As they work through their freshman season, they will only continue to keep improving and become more consistent.     
"Justin Amesquita – hitting .327 with .450 OBP has been a solid addition to the lineup as well as on the mound as a left-handed pitcher.     
"Tyler Tamez – hitting .333 with a .508 OBP has also been a contributor to the offense. He currently leads the team in doubles with seven. Tyler also throws quality innings out of the bullpen.     
"Dennis Ashley – has been solid on the mound as a pitcher this season. He leads the team in innings pitched and currently has a 1-1 record with a 3.57 ERA."