MJC Baseball Claims Big 8 Title and 3C2A NorCal Regional Host Spot
Modesto Junior College Athletics baseball has officially returned to championship form. For the first time in 20 years, the Pirates are conference champions, securing a share of the Big 8 Conference title and finishing the regular season ranked No. 6 in California in the final California Community College Baseball Coaches Association Home Run 30 Rankings.
The road to the title came down to the final series against Santa Rosa Junior College, with both teams battling for positioning in a tightly contested Big 8 race. After having an eight-game win streak snapped earlier in the series, Modesto responded when it mattered most—closing the regular season with a 5-2 victory to secure a share of the conference championship. The Pirates broke through in the fifth inning of the grueling game when Ryan Silva delivered a two-RBI double to score Jr Bedford and Marcus Perez. Modesto added another run in the sixth on an RBI single by Caden Reeve, building a 3-0 lead. Santa Rosa answered with two runs in the seventh, but the Pirates responded immediately. Troy Morrow came through with the biggest hit of the day—a two-RBI double to left-center that plated Bedford and Adam Alharbi, extending the lead to 5-2 and sealing the championship-clinching win. Morrow led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Silva also drove in a pair. Bedford sparked the lineup from the top, scoring twice and collecting two hits. On the mound, Kannon Sharpe earned the win with six strong innings, allowing just two runs while striking out four. Braden Giardina locked down the final three innings for the save.
The Pirates finish the regular season at 29-10 overall, taking the Big 8 title. The championship marks:
- First Big 8 title in program history
- First conference championship since 2006
Modesto's consistency throughout the season—highlighted by an eight-game win streak and strong conference play—firmly established the Pirates among the state's elite.
With the bracket now set, the Pirates will host a first-round regional playoff series as part of the Northern California bracket. The postseason begins May 1-3, featuring a 3-team, double-elimination format across the state. The 16 regional winners will advance to the Super Regionals (May 7-9), followed by the Regional Finals (May 15-17), with the season culminating at the 3C2A State Championships later in May in Irvine.
With a conference championship secured, a top-10 state ranking, and home-field advantage to open the playoffs, Modesto enters the postseason with momentum and confidence. The Pirates aren't just satisfied with a title—they're aiming for a State Championship.