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NICC rallies from down 7 to end losing streak

The Cougar baseball team came into their doubleheader with Rock Valley College on March 19 on a lengthy losing streak. The streak would extend one more game, but a big comeback propelled them to a win in the second.

NICC walks off Rock Valley
Box Score Box Score
March 19, 2026

The Cougar baseball team came into their doubleheader with Rock Valley College on March 19 on a lengthy losing streak. The streak would extend one more game, but a big comeback propelled them to a win in the second.

GAME ONE

Rock Valley scored two runs in each of the first four innings, but NICC's bullpen of Max Nuehring and Lincoln Grimm did a good job of giving the Cougars a fighting chance. Michael Kleinhans tallied two home runs, including a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth. However, it wasn't enough as they dropped game one, 10-5.

Game one performers:

Kleinhans - 2 HR, 5 RBI
Nuehring - 2 IP, 3 SO

GAME TWO

Game two also started with runs in each of the first four innings by the Golden Eagles. Kleinhans hit his third home run of the day in the second inning, and Kaden Alstad added a two-run shot, but NICC trailed 11-4 going into the bottom of the sixth.

NICC pushed five runners across the plate in the frame and added three in their final at-bat. With the bases loaded and no outs, Andrew Rottinghaus pushed a ball to second base, which generated a double play attempt by Rock Valley. The Golden Eagles got the lead runner out at second, but an errant throw to first base allowed two runners to score and end NICC's losing streak, 12-11.

Game two performers:

Alstad - 2 H, 2 RBI
Kleinhans - 1 HR, 2 RBI
Rottinghaus - 2 RBI