Jimbo Pernetti's first season with Chico State's baseball program didn't go as planned.
The 2013 Ceres High graduate was slowed by a back injury.
"I was actually hurt most of the year," Jimbo said. "I was in and out of the lineup. I had two bulged discs in my back. It was really frustrating. I know I'm good enough to be out there. I still tried to find ways to help my team."
Pernetti posted a batting average of .286 (16-for-56) with one homer, five doubles, 10 RBIs and seven runs in 31 games.
Jimbo earned California Collegiate Athletic Association Spring All-Academic honors.
"I'll play a bigger role next year," said Pernetti, a junior third baseman who was relegated to pinch-hit duties because of his sore back.
The 2016 Wildcats compiled a 35-22 overall record, placed first at the CCAA Championship Tournament and qualified for the NCAA Division-II West Regionals.
Chico State edged Cal State East Bay 10-9 in the CCAA title game at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton on May 14.
"We ended up winning the conference tournament," Pernetti said. "I got to be a part of that. It was fun."
The Wildcats dropped a pair of games at the Regional tourney.
Pernetti batted 1-for-3 at designated hitter during Chico State's season-ending 12-3 loss to Cal Baptist on May 20.
Jimbo singled in the bottom of the second inning.
He popped up to first base in the fourth inning.
He hit into a double play in the fifth inning.
The Wildcats lost 11-1 to Cal Poly Pomona in the first round on May 19.
Pernetti entered the game as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.
He flied out to center field.
"The team we beat in the conference tournament ended up winning Regionals and going to the World Series," Jimbo said.
Pernetti earned a partial scholarship to Chico State following a productive two-year career with Merced College.
Jimbo put up impressive offensive numbers while guiding the tradition-rich Blue Devils to a 23-15 overall record, NorCal Regional playoff berth and runner-up finish in the Central Valley Conference (16-8) in 2015.
Pernetti batted .643 (18-for-28) with two homers, two triples, two doubles, 10 RBIs and 11 runs during a historic 10-day stretch at the plate.
He tied a program record for hits in a single game when he finished 6-for-6 with one triple, one double, four singles, three RBIs and three runs in a 19-4 victory over West Hills Coalinga.
Jimbo batted .378 with three homers, two triples, seven doubles, 28 RBIs and 32 runs in 32 total games.
Pernetti was voted to the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association (CCCBCA) All-Northern California Team.
He earned first-team, all-Central Valley Conference honors.
He was also a CCCBCA Academic All-State selection. He had a cumulative grade-point average of 3.67.
Pernetti led Ceres High to a 20-7-1 overall record, Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV playoff berth and second-placing showing in the Western Athletic Conference (10-2) in 2013. Jimbo was named to the WAC First Team.
He was voted WAC MVP his junior year.
Jimbo garnered first-team, all-league recognition as a sophomore.
Pernetti has yet to fully recover from his back injury.
Rehab consists of doing exercises and stretches.
He also sees a chiropractor.
"It's been feeling a lot better," said Jimbo, who's currently living and playing baseball in North Carolina.
Pernetti joined the Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plains League.
Jimbo has appeared in 17 games.
He batted .303 with two homers, one triple, five doubles, nine RBIs and 12 runs.
"I just wanted to get some games in because I didn't get to play as much as I wanted to during my college season," Pernetti said. "In this league, the competition is really good, especially the pitching. We're seeing a lot of SEC and ACC guys."
Jimbo is looking forward to his final season of collegiate baseball.
"It's my last year," Pernetti said. "I have nothing to lose. I'll play as hard as I can. If we keep everybody healthy, we'll make a good run. Anything less than winning Regionals and advancing to the World Series would be disappointing. We have the talent to do it."
