SPORTS WRAP
Owatonna junior Nolan Rolloff didn’t hesitate, already making his commitment to play baseball at Division I University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. “It seemed like the right place to be…It seemed like home.
“The Future Games really set it up well. I talked to a bunch of college coaches. St. Thomas is where I landed at. I’m excited for it.
“It’s just a gritty program. Not too flashy. Nothing like that. They just win ballgames… Fundamental baseball. It’s fun to watch.”
And so is he.
Rolloff was All-Big Nine Conference and All-Section his sophomore year, hitting .445 with a .571 on-base percentage. He had 35 hits, 20 RBIs and scored 24 runs. On the mound he went 4-2 with a 2.91 ERA.
In the first game of this season on April 7 at shortstop he turned two double plays, ranged deep into the hole to field and throw out a runner at first, and caught a sinking line drive while Northfield had the bases loaded to end a potential rally.
At the plate, he drilled a two-out triple to the center field fence to ignite a Huskies four-run outburst that led to a 13-3 victory.
On defense, Rolloff said, “I like to be a vocal leader around the field. Playing shortstop is not just having a strong arm, good feet, and all that. It’s anticipating the play before it actually happens. Thinking about cuts. Where do I have to be for this play. Executing.”
He relies on his fastball when called upon to pitch. “Hopefully, they don’t hit it… I’ll work with my catchers Jace (Ulrich) and Jae (Herzog). Usually keeping it low in the zone early in counts. As we get later in counts elevating to get some high swing and misses.”
He likes the chemistry on this season’s team, telling the Owatonna Live Coaches Show, “We’ve been playing together for a while. I remember in middle school we all played VFW together. It’s a really tight-knit club.”
The Huskies return a wealth of experience from a team that won 18 games in 2025 and advanced to the final four in the section. The same core of players helped the American Legion team advance to the state tournament.
Spring ball additions
High school teams already have a challenge getting in their spring sports seasons as recent weather-related postponements show. Now baseball and softball teams are trying to wedge in more games thanks to an MSHSL rule that allows teams to schedule up to 24 games on 20 dates, an increase of four from the previous maximum.
Medford baseball coach Joe Melles says they have the pitching to handle a few more. “We felt like we have enough arms to compete in more games than just two a week. Although with schedule changes we know that will turn into three, four games a week,” he said.
Blooming Prairie baseball coach Matt Kittelson says the change means a doubleheader in Austin on May 9 will count as one event, giving them 21 games on the season. He points out, “I cannot remember the last time we got all 20 games in due to weather…We still need to consider number of pitchers, pitch count, etc. when making those decisions.
“Giving kids more opportunities to play, and allowing for more flexibility in scheduling, are both positive things for all,” Kittelson stated.
Owatonna softball coach Jeremy Moran takes the team to St. Anthony on Saturday, May 9 for three games, part of a season total of 23. “It’s good to have more games. But with the way our springs usually go, it’s always a challenge to get the 20 in… Ask me at the end of the year,” he said.
OHS baseball coach Tate Cummins knows the additional games aren’t guaranteed. “We’re at 23. We left one open. I think it will get very challenging if we do get a week of bad weather… We’re hoping for great weather and hopefully we can get 23 in. That would be awesome.”
A non-conference addition to the Huskies schedule is a doubleheader versus Apple Valley at Memorial Park in Dundas on Friday, May 8 at 4:30 p.m.
Sweet eats
The question will come up during the Steele County Young Life Cake Auction on Saturday, April 18: is that edible?
The answer is yes.
More than 100 auction cakes are up for bid, each with a special add-on, from vacation stays to unique experiences to goods and services provided by local businesses and individuals.
Young Life director Lindsay Thompson says, “They look like pieces of art. Really, can I eat that? And they can. It’s neat to see. Whether you want to come see the art, you can and not feel like you have to buy anything. We really hope that Trinity is a place for community to just be together.
“I met this week with Karen Killen. I’ve talked to Norma Wilcox on the phone. And some of these people, Bev Burmeister, who have been part of the auction for 48 years.”
Doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna with breakfast, cake samples, and kids’ activities. Play ‘Too High or Too Low’ at 11 a.m. Sale cakes are available as grab-and-go.
But don’t wait for Saturday to bid. For nearly 10 years the auction has been online based. Bidding begins on Thursday, April 16 at 8 a.m. Go to steelecounty.younglife.org to find the link to the auction. Bidding closes in waves on Saturday.
Young Life coordinator at OHS and teacher Mitch Dinse told Owatonna Live, “I remember my mom baking cakes for the cake auction... making these awesome spring cakes and being able to go and wondering if things were actually cake.”
Senior Amelia Baldwin is a club president. “It’s a good way for everyone to come together for a fun opportunity to contribute to the community.”
She joined Wyldlife in seventh grade. “One of my friends introduced me to it, and was like, oh you should come to this club tonight. I (thought) it sounds fun. I remember for the first one it was glow-in-the-dark volleyball.”
Dinse, a 2014 OHS grad who was not in the program as a student, has spent the last several years as a leader. “The impact, the care and compassion. Just the joy was so fulfilling…I see so much value in it.
“Getting genuine conversation and more than surface-level questions. Getting to put the screens away for a little while and get to know each other.”
Thompson, an Owatonna grad herself, continues the tradition established by her predecessor Chuck Jamison. “Putting positive adults in the lives of kids.”
Upcoming summer camps offer the chance to witness “truly what real joy is all about. At the camp, no cell phones, but how much fun, one, learning about Christ but also just being in a place that they always talk about. The thin line between heaven and earth is at camp.”
Auction goers have the chance to contribute to scholarships that allow more students to attend out-of-town camps.
OwatonnaLive.com play-by-play schedule:
Thursday, April 16:
OHS softball vs. Rochester Mayo, 5 p.m.
OHS girls lacrosse vs. Mankato, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, April 18:
OHS baseball vs. Mankato East, 12 p.m. (doubleheader)
Tuesday, April 21:
OHS baseball vs. Rochester Century, 5 p.m.
OHS boys lacrosse vs. Simley, 7:30 p.m.