PacWest TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

The stage is set for an exciting week of postseason baseball as the PacWest Conference Baseball Championship gets underway May 6 at Russell Carr Field on the campus of Westmont College. 

Featuring a tightly packed field of contenders in the double elimination tournament, the postseason competition brings together some of the West Region’s most dynamic offenses and deep pitching staffs, setting the stage for high-stakes matchups from the opening pitch. 

With championship aspirations and NCAA regional positioning on the line, expect a blend of power hitting, small-ball execution, and bullpen strategy to define the week. In a conference known for its parity, momentum, and timely performances often separate contenders from champions—making this year’s tournament wide open and primed for drama as teams battle for the PacWest crown under the Santa Barbara sun.

Fans looking to follow along can view the bracket and additional championship information here: https://thepacwest.com/tournaments/?id=219

Every game of the PacWest Baseball Championship will be streamed live on the PacWest Network: https://pacwestnetwork.tv/pacwesttv/?B=3873895

Below, we will take a look at each team (listed by seeds 1-4) as well as key players that will make an impact on the mound and at the plate for each program.

1. Point Loma Nazarene University (41-10, 37-7 PWC)

Point Loma baseball delivered a strong and well-rounded 2026 campaign, positioning itself as one of the top contenders in the PacWest Conference heading into postseason play. The Sea Lions combined one of the league’s most consistent offenses—hitting .323 as a team—with a disciplined approach that generated high on-base percentages and timely run production throughout the spring. On the mound, Point Loma featured a deep and reliable staff, posting a team ERA in the low-4.00s while getting quality innings from both its weekend rotation and bullpen in key conference series. With balance across all phases and postseason experience, Point Loma enters tournament play as a dangerous, championship-caliber team capable of making a deep run.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Derek Silva, RS-Junior, RHP

Key Stats: 8-1 | 2.93 ERA | 70.2 IP | 83 L | .230 BAA

At the Plate: Tristan Moore, Grad Student, OF

Key Stats: .378 AVG | .746 SLUG% | .481 OB% | 73 H | 21 2B | 4 3B | 14 HR | 61 RBI | 59 R

2. Concordia University Irvine (29-23, 27-17 PWC)

Concordia baseball put together a competitive and resilient 2026 season in the PacWest Conference, finishing 29-23 overall while staying firmly in the postseason conversation down the stretch. The Golden Eagles leaned on a disciplined offensive approach, hitting .302 as a team with strong on-base production and timely extra-base hits that fueled consistent scoring opportunities. Signature highlights included a pivotal series win over Point Loma and a strong showing against Westmont College, underscoring their ability to compete with the conference’s top teams.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Matthew Kaiser, Junior, RHP

Key Stats: 6-5 | 5 CG | 2 SO | 63.2 IP | 58 K

At the Plate: Isaiah Walz, Junior, SS

Key Stats: .376 AVG | .548 SLGU% | 70 H | 10 2B | 6 HR | 45 R | 14 SB

3. Fresno Pacific University (32-24, 27-17 PWC)

The Sunbirds battled through a challenging but competitive 2026 season in the PacWest Conference, showing steady growth across conference play. Fresno Pacific leaned on an offense that hit .315 as a team, generating production through timely hitting and opportunistic baserunning, with several key stretches where the lineup strung together consistent run support. On the mound, FPU struggled to post a staff ERA of 7.66, giving up 188 extra base hits including 73 home runs to the opposition.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Cruz Cabral, RS-Junior, RHP

Key Stats: 15 APP | 7-2 | 2 SV |  42.1 IP | 57 K

At the Plate: Titus Wheelock, RS-Junior, 1B

Key Stats: .357 AVG | .643 SLUG% | 66 H | 15 HR | 70 RBI | 32 BB

4. Westmont College (29-19, 25-17 PWC)

Westmont baseball put together an impressive 2026 campaign, emerging as a top contender in the PacWest Conference behind one of the most dominant pitching staffs in the league. The Warriors finished 31–16 overall, fueled by a deep and disciplined staff that posted a team ERA under 5.00, consistently limiting opponents with strong command, swing-and-miss ability, and the versatility to win both high- and low-scoring games. Their weekend rotation set the tone throughout conference play, while a reliable bullpen closed out tight contests and preserved key wins. Offensively, Westmont complemented its pitching with a balanced attack that hit .282, delivering timely extra-base hits and situational execution.

Names to Know

On the Mound: Brandon Tatch, Sophomore, RHP

Key Stats: 14 APP | 2-1 | 8 SV | 1.46 ERA | .247 BAA

At the Plate: Isaac Veal, Junior, OF

Key Stats: .353 AVG | 59 H | 11 2B | 10 HR | 42 RBI | 37 R