The 2026 college season will be here before you know it as the majority of our NCAA D2 squads will begin their seasons the last weekend of January.

In the past, we have looked ahead to the season with season previews, but this year we are changing it up a bit with a fall report that will also provide a look to the season ahead.

SSBR recently sent out questionnaires to each head coach of the small college (NCAA D2, NAIA, NCCAA) and JUCO schools in the state. We asked them to provide who their top returners, top newcomers, and top performers were in the fall. We’ve compiled that information into the fall report with an outlook for the upcoming 2026 season.

Today’s team: Redlands CC Cougars

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Level: NJCAA Division 2

Region: Region 2

2025 Overall Record: 29-25

2025 Region Record: 8-16 (T6 in Div)

Head Coach: Trent Troxell

Head Coaching Experience: 2nd year (all at Redlands)

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Top Returning Players

• Alex Everett, SS: Hit .300 as a FR
• Cole Webb, LHP: Strike thrower and competitor
• Jase Chambers, RHP: 8-2 as a FR
• Randy Cardenas, CF: Lead off hitter with plus speed
• Brand Wilson, 3B: Hit over .300 as a FR with 8 HRs
• Izzy Diaz, RHP: Dominant arm out of the bullpen
• Joseph Smothers, RHP: Strike thrower with velo
• Bryce Sickler, P: Competitive kid who fills it up

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Top Newcomers

• Zach Pearrow (Cisco College): Hit 8 HR in Fall; Hits for average; Pitches well from left side
• Sammy Gonzalez (Connors State): Plays multiple positions at high level; Hits for average
• Jake Scott (Australia): Power bat with speed

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Top Performers in Fall

• Zach Pearrow
• Cole Webb
• Joseph Smothers
• Colton Blakley (C): Big time arm behind the plate

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Outlook

An initial look at the numbers from 2025 may not show it, but it was quite the turn around in El Reno. In his 1st year as head coach, Trent Troxell led the Cougars to their first overall winning season in over 10 years.

The Cougars look to build off that season and improve even more in El Reno. They will need to have consistent ABs and the bullpen will have to improve, however.

According to Troxell, the Cougars are a “competitive group of kids that like to work and get better everyday.”

This writer has a good knowledge of the Redlands program and Coach Troxell with my boys playing 2 seasons there recently. I can tell you that there is a new, positive attitude at “Ft Reno,” and continued improvement and qualifying for the Region 2 Tournament should be the case in 2026.

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