Point Loma Nazarene University’s baseball team has been dominating NCAA Division II. Over the past three years, PLNU has made the Division II College World Series in 2022 and 2024.
To start the 2025 season, the team held a record of 4-2. They played their first two weeks of games against Chico State (1-2) and Colorado School of Mines (3-0), and have shown skill throughout these games on the field by starting off the season with winning performances. Having two World Series titles under their belts, PLNU baseball is officially ranked fifth in the nation in NCAA Division II.
Justin James, head coach of PLNU baseball since 2010, has a personal connection and love for PLNU. As an alumnus, he played on the baseball team while he was a student, which sparked his passion for the team and the school.
James said the pressure of the game can fuel the execution of what they’ve practiced.
“We are really process-oriented,” James said. “So, you’re inhuman if you don’t think about the pressure a little bit, but doing the right things and working through the process takes a little bit of that edge off … But, I also think it’s important to have that pressure to sustain myself and to make sure we don’t get complacent … we think winning breeds more winning.”
According to the student handbook, “Students and faculty alike are held to a very high standard of workmanship,” and it’s no different in baseball. The team strives for a strong commitment to excellence on and off the field.
Jake Entrekin, a fourth-year catcher, who has earned four All-PacWest awards during his time at PLNU, said he loves the game and has many great memories playing for PLNU.
“My favorite memory from the team is definitely winning the Super Regional last year,” Entrekin said. “I thought we were done a few times and we just kept battling back.”
Coming off of a winning season can cause pressure, but the players and coaches at PLNU seem to be unfazed.
“I don’t think there’s any extra pressure based off of last season but the standard is definitely high,” Entrekin said.
Owen Peake, a first-year pitcher at PLNU, said he is having a great experience on the team so far. He’s learning how to adapt to the team while improving his skills on and off the field.
“I don’t feel pressure from past World Series wins because it is in the past and I am part of the future,” Leake said. “Of course, there is a standard that needs to be held but I don’t try to put added pressure on myself. … everyone has to do their job with the same max effort in order to succeed.”
PLNU’s next home games are this Saturday, Feb. 22, in a double-header against Vanguard University, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sydney Brammer 
Cade Michaelson