Biola Fall Report: Eagles Poised to Take Flight in 2026

The trajectory of Biola baseball under Head Coach Jesse Rodgers has been one of steady, undeniable ascent. Entering his fourth season at the helm, Rodgers has guided the program to an improved win total in each of the last three years, culminating in a 26-27 finish in 2025—just two victories shy of tying the program's Division II record. More importantly, the Eagles broke through for their first-ever PacWest Tournament appearance, a milestone that has shifted the internal expectation from simply competing to contending for a regional berth.

The fall season in La Mirada has been defined by a serious, workman-like atmosphere as the team prepares to take that next big step. Rodgers notes that the group has shown an ability to hit the ball out of the yard and score in bunches, complemented by an improved pitching staff and defense. With a roster returning over 72% of its total production, including 73.4% of its offense and 70.4% of its innings on the mound, the Eagles possess the continuity required to challenge the PacWest's elite.

The Offense

The lineup features a potent blend of returning power and high-average hitters, anchored by senior first baseman James Whitman. An imposing presence in the middle of the order, Whitman slashed .341 with a team-leading 14 home runs and 38 RBIs in 173 at-bats last spring. His power production is historic; he enters 2026 just one home run away from breaking the program's career record, and the staff looks to him to lead the squad in RBIs once again.

Joining him is redshirt sophomore outfielder Adiel Torres, who broke out with a Third Team All-PacWest campaign. Torres was a consistent force, hitting .390 with 62 hits, seven home runs, and 39 RBIs in 159 at-bats. His elite on-base percentage of .465 makes him a crucial table-setter for the power bats behind him. The infield also returns junior Luke Caruso, who posted a solid .309 average with nine doubles and 38 RBIs across 181 at-bats, looking to build on a big sophomore season. Behind the dish, senior Josh McAninch provides veteran leadership for the defense while coming off a season where he hit .291 in limited action.

To bolster the lineup, the coaching staff has brought in impact transfers who are expected to contribute immediately. Kevin Villegas, a transfer from Golden West College, is an elite defender who will anchor the middle infield; he brings a polished bat that produced a .348 average and .460 OBP at the JUCO level. Another key addition is Reef Danner, a transfer from Arkansas-Little Rock via Long Beach City College, where he owned a career .344 average. Danner adds dynamic speed, left-handed at-bats, and strong defensive skills to the infield mix.

The Pitching Staff

On the mound, the Eagles return a battle-tested rotation led by sophomore left-hander Luke Ballantyne. As a true freshman, Ballantyne was a workhorse, making 14 starts and compiling a 6-1 record with 63 strikeouts over 64.1 innings. His ability to log innings and compete gave the team a chance to win every weekend, and he looks to leverage that experience into a dominant sophomore campaign.

Complementing him is senior right-hander Gabe Magallan, a versatile arm who transitioned from an all-conference closer to a starter last season. Magallan struck out 51 batters in 61.2 innings and will be relied upon to impact games in either role this year. The bullpen is anchored by senior Dylan Alanis, who served as the closer last year, recording six saves and 27 strikeouts in 32.1 innings. Joining him in the late innings is senior Blake Wentz, who posted a stellar 4.19 ERA in 34.1 innings of relief work.

Newcomers will also bolster the staff, led by Oscar Knapp, a two-way transfer from Cabrillo College. Knapp struck out 64 batters in 63.1 innings at the JUCO level and offers a chance to impact the game both on the mound and in the middle of the lineup, highlighted by his .361 batting average last season. Additionally, Wyatt Nichol, a transfer from Pepperdine, brings "great stuff" and Division I experience (35 appearances over two seasons) that has earned him a shot at impact innings this spring.

Key Departures

While the returning core is strong, Biola must replace the significant production of Noah Ruiz and Isaiah Leon. Ruiz, a First Team All-West Region selection, was an offensive juggernaut, hitting .384 with 10 home runs and a team-high 49 RBIs before transferring to D1 Northwestern in Chicago. Leon leaves behind a void in the outfield after hitting .385 with 10 homers and earning Second Team All-West Region honors.

Schedule & Outlook

The 2026 schedule offers an immediate test for the Eagles, who open the season at home on January 30 with a four-game series against Regis. Regis is coming off a strong 35-16 campaign that saw them make a deep run in the RMAC Tournament. Early non-conference matchups also include a series against CSU San Marcos (February 6th on the road, February 7th at home, two games each) and a road trip to Fresno Pacific in mid-February (13-15) to begin PacWest Play.

PacWest play brings the usual gauntlet of regional heavyweights. The Eagles face a critical stretch from February 27-28 against Westmont, the defending PacWest champions who finished 43-14 and hosted the West Regional last year. Another marquee matchup looms in May (1-2) to close out the regular season against Point Loma, a powerhouse program that went 39-18 and made a West Regional appearance in 2025. Biola will look to navigate these series to secure a return trip to the PacWest Tournament in Santa Barbara and chase the program's first-ever regional bid in their Division II era. If you value this in-depth, non-paywalled coverage of D2 Baseball, please consider supporting our independent reporting efforts. Your contribution helps us continue providing free access to all our articles without relying on restrictive paywalls. To support our work, please visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/diviibaseball