The 2026 season has come to a close as the American River College baseball team lost in the regional championship game to Feather Rier 19-8 on May 3 in Quincy. Photo courtesy of American River College

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The 2026 season has come to a close as the American River College baseball team lost in the regional championship game to Feather River 19-8 on May 3 in Quincy. After putting a thumping on the Golden Eagles in the first game, then falling 4-2 in the second game, everything was on the line that morning.

The game was moved up to 10 a.m. to try and beat an incoming thunderstorm. After the Beavers failed to score in the top of the first, Feather River wasted no time jumping on freshman RHP Ayden Dringenberg (Oakmont), who had thrown three innings on Friday to secure the win over Monterey Peninsula College. The Golden Eagles got three runs in the first inning, then one in the second. 

The Beavers came back with three runs in the third inning, with 2B Lance Sabatke (River City) driving in a run with a single to center. But the ARC pitchers just couldn't keep Feather River off the board, as the Golden Eagles scored in six of their eight innings at bat, with all but the second inning being multiple run innings. After ARC closed the gap to 4-3, FRC scored four in the third and two in the fourth to go up 10-3. 

The Beavers answered back with a run thanks to an RBI double by Sabatke. RHP Nathan Gahn (Bear Creek) held Feather River scoreless in the fifth and the Beavers got two runs in the top of the sixth to make the score 10-6.  But Feather River just kept adding on and got the two runs back in the bottom of the sixth. In the seventh ARC clawed back, scoring a pair of runs to make the score 12-8 thanks to a sacrifice fly by 3B Luke Haney (Oak Ridge) and an RBI single by SS Bryce Sabatke (River City). The Beavers threatened in the eighth with runners at first and second with one out but 1B Jose Vega (Highlands) hit into an inning ending double play to squash the threat. It was one of two double plays the Beavers hit into on the day. With the game still within reach going into the bottom of the eight Feather River put the game away for good, scoring seven runs to make the final score 19-8. 

The American River College baseball staff would like to thank everyone who supported the team this season and we are looking forward to January and the start of the 2027 season. And a big congratulations to the players on the 2026 team for a fine season, and to the sophomores who will be moving on…thank you for your dedication and hard work. Once a Beaver, always a Beaver!