MINNEAPOLIS — The Riverland Community College baseball team picked up a pair of one-run wins in the Metrodome Thursday.

Marcus Kiewel, a freshman from Rapid City, S.D., allowed just one run in seven innings in a 2-1 opening win over Mesabi Community College and RCC won the nightcap 5-4.

Kiewel allowed a two-out single for a run in the first inning as the Blue Devils (9-6 overall) fell behind early, but he recoverd and struck out four while allowing just five hits in the win.

“If Marcus can keep his emotions in check and focus on pitching, he does a pretty nice job,” RCC head coach Scott Koenigs said. “He didn’t have his great offspeed pitch today, but he made pitches when he needed to.”

Michael Knutson, a freshman from Jefferson, Wis., broke out of his hitting slump as he finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs in the doubleheader.

“Mike finally broke out and we’ve been waiting to see that,” Koenigs said.

Hayfield grad Tyler Krekling went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs on the day.

RCC won’t play again until it hosts Central Lakes April 5.

“We’ve got so many freshman and we’ve got some things to work on,” Koenigs said. “It’ll be nice to get a couple weeks of learning in.”

Mesabi 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 5 1

RCC 0 0 1 0 1 0 X — 2 5 0

RCC pitching: Marcus Kiewel (W, 1-1), 7 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 4 K

RCC hitting: Donte Bledsoe, 0-for-1, R, BB; Michael Kuntson, 1-for-2, 2 RBIs; Matt Boswell, 0-for-2, HBP; Braden Hunkins, 1-for-3; Aaron Palmer, 0-for-2, BB; Will McKnight, 1-for-1; Jamie Adams, 1-for-3; Tyler Krekling, 1-for-2, R

RCC 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 — 5 8 1

Mesabi 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 — 4 7 0

RCC pitching: Kyle Gorsuch (W, 2-1), 4 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 ER, 5 K; Ben Schaben, 3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 3 K

RCC hitting: Krekling, 1-for-3, double, 2 RBIs, BB; Bledsoe, 1-for-3; Knutson, 2-for-2, RBI, 2 R, BB; Boswell, 2-for-4, double, triple, RBI; Chris May, 1-for-2; Victor Claudio, R, 2 BBs; Jason Kezman, 0-for-2, BB; Jamie Adams, 1-for-2, 2 R, HBP