Photo courtesy of PhotoWorks: The 2026 Red Rock Central/Westbrook-Walnut Grove baseball team consists of Jordan Therkilsen, Jackson Jenniges, Mason Warner, Easton Jenniges, Brandon Therkilsen, Marshal Willhite, Braxton Weber, Ian Knakmuhs, Dawson Rue, Zander Trostem, John Ourada, Max Krick, Grant Kronback, Beau Krick, Carter Therkilsen, Jonah Skarupa, Trigg Herding, Jake Erickson, Trenton Blomgren, Colton Schaffran and Hunter Marquart. 

LAMBERTON — Despite seeing significant changes in its pitching and hitting lineup due to graduation and injury, the Red Rock Central/Westbrook-Walnut Grove baseball team is still looking to continue its recent success for the 2026 season between a group of returning and underclassmen talent.

The Falcons had a strong 2025 season campaign, finishing the year 11-5 overall. They came up just short in the Section 3A south subsection quarterfinals 4-3 to Minneota to end their season. RRC/WWG is 5-4 overall through their first nine games of the 2026 season.

“We have been playing pretty decent baseball [to start the season]. The pitching has been solid. We have a little bit of work to do, as far as playing clean in the field and getting some hits when we need them,” head coach Isaac Jenniges said. “But, at this point, after nine games and [being] 5-4, that’s pretty good for our group of guys, considering we had some injuries and other things that we had to deal with.”

One of the biggest changes RRC/WWG is looking to adjust and find answers to is its new pitching staff, as the team had lost its three primary throwers from last season.

Hudsen Jenniges, Austin Imker and Abe Stavnes led the charge on the mound last season. Jenniges graduated last year, while Imker tore his ACL during this past basketball season and will be out for the entirety of the baseball season. Stavnes did not return to baseball this year, and coach Jenniges also noted that a few other players transitioned over to golf for their spring sport this season.

Jordan Therkilsen, Jackson Jenniges and Jake Erickson have been the primary players taking turns in the pitching rotation for the Falcons so far this season, all of whom are returning varsity players. Braxton Weber is also serving as a pitcher, joining the team as a freshman this season.

“We’ve been relying on some younger guys to fill in and pitch for the first time. So far, they’ve been handling the load and doing well,” coach Jenniges said.

Therkilsen and Erickson saw a little bit of time on the mound last season, five and three innings, respectively. But, Hudsen Jenniges led the way with 45 innings pitched with 41 strikeouts and a 1.89 ERA. Imker followed with 42 innings pitched with a team-high 48 strikeouts along with a 2.21 ERA. Stavnes had a team-best 0.32 ERA through his 21 innings on the mound, along with 22 strikeouts.

Despite Hudsen Jenniges and Imker helping to lead the way last season on the offensive end last season as well, Erickson and Carter Therkilsen are two big returners for the Falcons at the plate this year.

Erickson had the team’s second-most amount of hits at 19 and second-highest batting average at .302 last year. He also had a team-high 17 RBIs, along with 14 runs.

Carter Therkilsen in particular will look to be another strategic piece to the Falcons’ offense this season, who led the team with 16 stolen bases and 16 runs last year. He also had 13 hits and seven RBIs with a .250 batting average.

Jackson Jenniges, Trenton Blomgren, Carter and Jordan Therkilsen also had success last season on offense, looking to do the same again this year to help the Falcons fill the gaps of their losses.

“Jake Erickson has been doing a good job of driving in some runs and getting in some extra base hits,” coach Jenniges said. “Jackson started off pretty well … It’s just kind of a matter of time before we get a couple of our other guys going in the right direction.”

“We got the Therkilsen, Carter and Jordan Therkilsen, who have seen some success playing other sports, both multi year starters that we’re bringing back,” coach Jenniges added regarding key pieces on this season’s roster. “Trenton Blomgren is coming back to fill the DH role, and then a couple of freshmen in Colton Schaffran and Braxton Weber filling in, along with Jonah Skarupa.”

Last season, Jackson Jenniges had 16 hits with four doubles and seven RBIs on a .267 batting average. Blomgren followed with eight hits and a .258 average. Jordan also had 13 runs, 12 hits, seven RBIs and nine stolen bases on a .231 batting average.

Hudsen Jenniges led the offense last season with 25 hits and a .417 average, 14 runs, 12 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Imker also had 15 hits with a dozen RBIs.

Other returners to this year’s team that will look to also step up their roles include Jonah Skarupa, Mason Warner, Marshall Willhite and Grant Kronback.

“[Our goals are] to just get better every day. We’ve kind of been dealt a little bit of a rough hand when you have a guy like Austin go down,” coach Jenniges said. “So, trying to find guys to fill in some of the spots that were left vacated by those that aren’t here. Just be competitive every day, try to find a way to push some runs across and have a chance to win.”