CBU Baseball Welcomes 19 Newcomers Ahead of 2027 Season
9/10/2026 2:47:00 PM | Baseball
RIVERSIDE — California Baptist University baseball welcomes 19 newcomers to the program for the 2027 season, including 12 transfers and seven freshmen, as the Lancers prepare for their first season in the Big West Conference.
Head coach Gary Adcock enters his 24th season at the helm of CBU baseball with a talented group of newcomers looking to bolster the Lancers' roster. CBU is coming off another 40-win season, marking the second 40-win campaign in the program's Division I era and the eighth 40-win season during Adcock's tenure.
Of the 19 newcomers, 11 are pitchers and eight are position players, bringing a mix of experience and youth to the Lancers.
"We are excited and blessed to have these young men join our program. The size, depth and talent not only reflect the amount of work from my coaching staff but directly correlates to the daunting task of replacing the bulk of last year's team. The standard has been raised and this year's class, along with our returners will be ready to usher us into a new beginning in the Big West. We are excited to get to work this fall," Adcock said.
Pitchers
Leading the group of newcomers on the mound is Riverside native and right-handed pitcher Jake Valenzuela, who transfers to CBU from Riverside City College. Valenzuela made 14 appearances with 13 starts in 2026, posting a 6-1 record and a 2.82 ERA across 73 1/3 innings. He struck out 56 batters while limiting opponents to a .234 batting average and a 1.30 WHIP.
Redshirt senior right-hander Cruz Cabral joins the Lancers from Fresno Pacific University after a strong 2026 campaign. Cabral made 10 appearances, posting a 2.42 ERA across 22 1/3 innings while striking out 31 batters. He limited opponents to a .190 batting average and averaged nearly 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
Right-hander Ka'imi Kahalekai transfers to CBU from Long Beach State after finishing the 2026 season with a strong stretch on the mound. Kahalekai earned wins against UC Davis and UC San Diego, combining for 13 strikeouts across 11 1/3 innings in the two victories.
CBU also adds right-handers Austin Plisinski from Pepperdine, Evan Stratton from Creighton and Cam Grenart from Pima Community College, along with left-hander Jacob Heppner from Utah Valley and right-hander Jack Wheaton from Riverside City College.
The Lancers also welcome three freshman pitchers. Right-hander Gavin Loeb-Keene comes to CBU from Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, while right-hander Grayson Martin joins the program from Temecula Valley High School in Temecula. Right-hander Eric Johnson comes to Riverside from Vacaville High School.
Position Players
The Lancers add eight position players, led by sophomore outfielder Tyson Pettingill, who transfers to CBU from Cal State San Bernardino. Pettingill enjoyed a standout 2026 season, batting .394 with 67 RBIs, 52 runs and 11 home runs across 46 games. He also collected 11 doubles and posted a .981 fielding percentage.
Redshirt sophomore catcher/infielder Pat Costin joins the Lancers from Florence-Darlington Technical College after a productive 2026 season. Costin batted .352 with 57 RBIs, 53 runs and eight home runs across 49 games while adding two stolen bases.
Senior infielder Ryan Kroepel transfers to CBU from Utah Tech after a productive two-way 2026 season. Kroepel batted .312 with 55 runs, 47 RBIs, six home runs and 51 walks across 59 games while posting a .917 fielding percentage in 108 chances. He also contributed on the mound, recording a 3.82 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 35 1/3 innings.
In 2025, Kroepel hit .367 with 76 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 35 RBIs in 55 games.
Junior infielder Elijah Clayton transfers to CBU from Campbell after appearing in 26 games during the 2026 season. Clayton batted .264 with 22 runs, 23 RBIs, four doubles, a triple and a home run. He also drew 12 walks and recorded a .929 fielding percentage in 141 total chances.
The remaining position players include freshman outfielder Drew Taylor of Linfield Christian High School in Temecula, infielder Elijah Duarte of Ayala High School in Chino Hills, infielder Kobee Finnikin of Corona High School in Cathedral City and catcher Alex D'Angelo of Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
With a combination of experienced transfers and talented freshmen, the Lancers enter the 2027 season with a deep group of newcomers ready to make an impact. The class will have its first opportunity to do so as CBU begins a new chapter in the Big West Conference.
Head coach Gary Adcock enters his 24th season at the helm of CBU baseball with a talented group of newcomers looking to bolster the Lancers' roster. CBU is coming off another 40-win season, marking the second 40-win campaign in the program's Division I era and the eighth 40-win season during Adcock's tenure.
Of the 19 newcomers, 11 are pitchers and eight are position players, bringing a mix of experience and youth to the Lancers.
"We are excited and blessed to have these young men join our program. The size, depth and talent not only reflect the amount of work from my coaching staff but directly correlates to the daunting task of replacing the bulk of last year's team. The standard has been raised and this year's class, along with our returners will be ready to usher us into a new beginning in the Big West. We are excited to get to work this fall," Adcock said.
Pitchers
Leading the group of newcomers on the mound is Riverside native and right-handed pitcher Jake Valenzuela, who transfers to CBU from Riverside City College. Valenzuela made 14 appearances with 13 starts in 2026, posting a 6-1 record and a 2.82 ERA across 73 1/3 innings. He struck out 56 batters while limiting opponents to a .234 batting average and a 1.30 WHIP.
Redshirt senior right-hander Cruz Cabral joins the Lancers from Fresno Pacific University after a strong 2026 campaign. Cabral made 10 appearances, posting a 2.42 ERA across 22 1/3 innings while striking out 31 batters. He limited opponents to a .190 batting average and averaged nearly 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
Right-hander Ka'imi Kahalekai transfers to CBU from Long Beach State after finishing the 2026 season with a strong stretch on the mound. Kahalekai earned wins against UC Davis and UC San Diego, combining for 13 strikeouts across 11 1/3 innings in the two victories.
CBU also adds right-handers Austin Plisinski from Pepperdine, Evan Stratton from Creighton and Cam Grenart from Pima Community College, along with left-hander Jacob Heppner from Utah Valley and right-hander Jack Wheaton from Riverside City College.
The Lancers also welcome three freshman pitchers. Right-hander Gavin Loeb-Keene comes to CBU from Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, while right-hander Grayson Martin joins the program from Temecula Valley High School in Temecula. Right-hander Eric Johnson comes to Riverside from Vacaville High School.
Position Players
The Lancers add eight position players, led by sophomore outfielder Tyson Pettingill, who transfers to CBU from Cal State San Bernardino. Pettingill enjoyed a standout 2026 season, batting .394 with 67 RBIs, 52 runs and 11 home runs across 46 games. He also collected 11 doubles and posted a .981 fielding percentage.
Redshirt sophomore catcher/infielder Pat Costin joins the Lancers from Florence-Darlington Technical College after a productive 2026 season. Costin batted .352 with 57 RBIs, 53 runs and eight home runs across 49 games while adding two stolen bases.
Senior infielder Ryan Kroepel transfers to CBU from Utah Tech after a productive two-way 2026 season. Kroepel batted .312 with 55 runs, 47 RBIs, six home runs and 51 walks across 59 games while posting a .917 fielding percentage in 108 chances. He also contributed on the mound, recording a 3.82 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 35 1/3 innings.
In 2025, Kroepel hit .367 with 76 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 35 RBIs in 55 games.
Junior infielder Elijah Clayton transfers to CBU from Campbell after appearing in 26 games during the 2026 season. Clayton batted .264 with 22 runs, 23 RBIs, four doubles, a triple and a home run. He also drew 12 walks and recorded a .929 fielding percentage in 141 total chances.
The remaining position players include freshman outfielder Drew Taylor of Linfield Christian High School in Temecula, infielder Elijah Duarte of Ayala High School in Chino Hills, infielder Kobee Finnikin of Corona High School in Cathedral City and catcher Alex D'Angelo of Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
With a combination of experienced transfers and talented freshmen, the Lancers enter the 2027 season with a deep group of newcomers ready to make an impact. The class will have its first opportunity to do so as CBU begins a new chapter in the Big West Conference.
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