Posted By Press Democrat Staff Writer Michael Coit:

A trio of Santa Rosa Junior College baseball players who helped lead the Bear Cubs back into the state playoffs earned postseason honors led by All-American outfielder Jayce Ray, from Sonoma Valley High.

Named All-Nor Cal were pitcher Jon Flinn, Cardinal Newman, and Jon Nadale, Petaluma High.

Ray was among the top hitters in the Big 8 Conference, the second toughest league in the California Community College Athletic Association. Ray batted .350, third in the conference. His 5 doubles, 7 triples, 2 home runs and 21 runs batted in added up to the league’s top slugging percentage. Ray also was second in both total bases and runs scored.

Santa Rosa’s pitching ace was Flinn, with a record of 8-4 and a 1.40 earned run average, good for second in the conference. Also second in innings pitched, Flinn had the league’s lowest opponent batting average and also tossed two complete games.

The work horse of the pitching staff was Nadale, whose 18 appearances tied for sixth in the conference. Nadale also had a sparkling 2.01 earned run average.

Another former Empire prep standout to earn All-American recognition was Scott Harkin, a Casa Grande graduate and infielder for Diablo Valley College, the Big 8 Conference champion.