Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Branson Dobrec slides safely into third base base during a game this past spring.

By Ray Hamill — A handful of new local recruits will join one of the largest classes of returning players in some time at College of the Redwoods, as the Corsairs look to turn the corner in baseball.

Experience can be a big difference maker in community college sports, and CR head coach Andrew Aiello is hoping that will be the case for his team next spring.

In addition to a standout local recruiting class that includes McKinleyville’s Tyson Bragg and Branson Dobrec, Eureka’s Jorge Lopez and Fortuna’s Drew Franklin, the Corsairs should have around 15 players back from this year’s team.

“We’re returning probably the biggest group of returners I’ve had since I took over,” said Aiello, who is in his fourth year with the team. “We’re looking at around 15 or 16 returners, which is huge. To get guys with experience, that’s one of the biggest things at this level.

“You can’t teach that experience and we’re going to lean on those guys.”

In addition to the returning players and talented local newcomers, Aiello will also have a couple of former St. Bernard’s players with some good experience.

Jeran Ford, who played on the St. Bernard’s history-setting NorCal championship team of 2022, will return to the CR lineup next year after suffering a season-ending injury just days before the 2024 campaign. 

“I know he’s excited to get back,” Aiello said of Ford, who will play first base and should also see some time on the mound. “He throws hard.”

Ford’s former SB teammate Bode Joyner also will join the program in the fall.

The 2021 St. Bernard’s graduate will return to the area after spending time at Santa Rosa JC and Napa Valley College, including one season playing at the latter this past spring.

And Aiello is looking forward to working with the talented and multi-sport athlete, who should have an immediate impact.

Submitted photo – Jorge Lopez at his letter signing ceremony after committing his future to CR.

“We’re pretty excited to get him,” the CR coach said. “He’s a big strong kid and we’re looking to add some strength to our lineup.

“And he’s played a year at this level. He’s got some experience.”

McKinleyville’s Bragg and Dobrec also recently announced they will take their talents to CR.

Aiello is excited about Bragg’s athleticism and feels he will be a good fit for the team, while Dobrec was one of the top pitchers in the H-DNL last season and played a key role in leading the Panthers to a Big 5 and Charles Lakin tournament championship double.

“He’s a guy that did really well pitching for McKinleyville this past year,” Aiello said of Dobrec “He’s got pretty decent stuff, and again we’re going to help him continue to develop.”

Dobrec follows in the footsteps of his father and high school coach Mike Dobrec, who also played at CR.

Submitted photo – Fortuna’s Drew Franklin at his recent letter signing ceremony.

“He wants to get in the weight room and he wants to work on his mechanics,” Aiello said of Branson.

The two new McKinleyville players will join former teammate Riley Bates at CR.

“They’re putting out some quality guys,” Aiello said the reigning Big 5 champs.

Lopez, meanwhile, was sold on joining the Corsairs after meeting with the coaches, while Franklin is a nice addition to the program after helping the Huskies to an historic season in the spring of 2023 as a junior.

But more than anything, having so many sophomores coming back should be a big advantage to a program that has struggled to compete in recent years.

“I think at this stage we’re a little ahead of where we’ve been the last couple of years,” Aiello said. “There’s a lot of excitement within the program.”