The College of the Redwoods players will try to put a disappointing opening weekend behind them later this week when they host Hartnell in their home openers.

CR began the 2026 baseball season with a trip to Ukiah over the weekend, but dropped all three games of a series against Mendocino College.

Redwoods opened with an 8-4 loss on Friday, and followed that with a pair of losses on Saturday, falling 13-9 and 11-1.

“Have to give a ton of credit to Mendocino and how well prepared they were to play all weekend,” CR head coach John Downey said. “They absolutely will be a tough opponent all year.”

Despite the results, there were some bright spots for Redwoods, most notably the play of Javier Mesa and Tyson Bragg at the plate.

Mesa hit successfully in all three games, with multiple hits in the opening two.

The infielder finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs in the opener and added two base hits in game two and another in game three.

McKinleyville’s Bragg also had an impact at the plate, going back 3-for-4 in the opener and following that with two more hits in game two, along with two RBIs and a pair of stolen bases.

Tristen Valenzuela and Arcata’s Finn Warner each also had a double in game one, while Fortuna’s Drew Franklin took the loss on the hill, giving up five earned runs on seven hits in five innings.

“Solid effort today, but ultimately Mendocino made plays when needed and we didn’t,” Downey said after the opener.

McKinleyville’s Evan Fraser got the start on the hill for game two and took the loss, giving up six earned runs on seven hits and four walks and striking out two in 2.2 innings.

Addisson Guber had two hits in the loss, including a home run, while Warner added two more base hits and two stolen bases.

Mason Stearns and Quinton Marshall each also saw time on the mood in relief, with the latter impressing late in the game and allowing just one hit in 2.1 innings work.

Mendocino closed out the series strong, out-hitting Redwoods 11-2 in game three.

Valenzuela got the start on the hill and took the loss, giving up six earned runs on seven hits and striking out eight in four innings.

CR also had 11 errors on the weekend.

“We have a good amount to work on going into (this) week with the home opener,” Downey said. “Best news is there’s a ton of season left.”

The series against Hartnell gets under way with a doubleheader on Friday, beginning at 11 a.m.

The two teams will also play a single game on Saturday at noon.

Those games will take place at Bomber Field across from the Redwood Acres in Eureka.