SRJC Baseball Opens Season Ranked in State's Top 10

Plus: Updates on how local college athletes are performing across the country.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The Santa Rosa Junior College baseball team begins the 2026 season ranked No. 7 in the state, splitting their first series with No. 22 Chabot and narrowly losing to No. 1 West Valley. The SRJC women's basketball team fell to No. 7 San Joaquin Delta, while the men's team bounced back from a loss to Modesto with two comfortable wins. The story also provides updates on the performances of several local college athletes competing around the country.

Why it matters

SRJC's strong start to the baseball season and the continued success of its basketball programs demonstrate the high level of talent and competitiveness in the school's athletic programs. The updates on local college athletes also highlight the achievements of players from the North Bay region competing at the collegiate level.

The details

The SRJC baseball team split its first series of the year, losing 3-1 to No. 22 Chabot before rallying for a 9-8 win, scoring six runs over the final three innings. The Bear Cubs then nearly knocked off No. 1 West Valley, last year's CCCAA state runner-up, but fell 6-4 in a close game. On the basketball court, the SRJC women's team fell to No. 7 San Joaquin Delta, ending a five-game winning streak, while the men's team bounced back from a loss to Modesto with two comfortable wins.

  • The CCCAA released its first poll of the 2026 season on Tuesday, January 28.
  • The SRJC baseball team split its first series of the year last weekend, January 24-25.
  • The SRJC baseball team lost 6-4 to No. 1 West Valley on Tuesday, January 28.
  • The SRJC women's basketball team lost to No. 7 San Joaquin Delta on an unspecified date last week.
  • The SRJC men's basketball team defeated American River 100-62 on Tuesday, January 28, and San Joaquin Delta 86-66 on Friday, January 31.

The players

RJ Johnson

An SRJC baseball player who had the game-winning, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Bear Cubs to a 9-8 comeback win over No. 22 Chabot.

Brett Neidlinger

An SRJC baseball player who contributed offensively with a double, a triple, and two runs scored in the Bear Cubs' 9-8 win over No. 22 Chabot.

Keyonee Neal

A Rancho Cotate graduate playing women's basketball for Dominican University, where she helped the Penguins extend their winning streak to five games with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in a recent win.

Kylin DeVries

A Montgomery graduate playing women's basketball for The Master's University, where she scored a career-high 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in recent wins.

Meredith Gilbertson

A former Windsor, SRJC, and Sonoma State standout playing women's basketball for CSU East Bay, where she scored seven points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds in a recent win.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.