Pacific Index

An update on the Pacific University baseball team

   With momentum and expectations after the strong showing in conference play last season, Boxers baseball expects to replicate their dominance for another season. While competing in the highly competitive Northwest Conference, our Boxers are once again aiming to be among the league’s top teams when it’s all said and done. So far, the early results and the returning talent suggests the program will remain competitive as the season progresses.

   Taking a quick look at last year, Pacific came into this season off a successful 2025 campaign. The team finished 17–18 overall and 16–8 in Northwest Conference play, a record that earned the Boxers the NWC regular-season championship title and the ability to host the conference tournament in Forest Grove. The season itself was unusual, yet amazing to witness. Pacific had started the year with a rough 0–9 start, but the team rallied together as conference play began. The Boxers were able to win multiple series during the middle of the season and soared into first place in the conference standings. The turnaround highlighted the team’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Hosting the conference tournament at their home field, Chuck Bafaro Stadium, was a reward for a team that had grown and showed significant maturity throughout the year.

   As the new season has gotten underway, the Boxers appear focused on building off last year’s momentum. The team has displayed signs of strong offense and solid pitching depth, with those things being key factors in conference play where weekend series often determine the standings. Early games have shown Pacific’s ability to produce runs and execute the game on situational levels. 

   In recent competition, the Boxers earned a 9–2 victory in a non-conference doubleheader against The College of Idaho. The Boxers were backed by strong pitching and multiple offensive contributions from Will Shelor, Javin Hamura, and Benjamin Lewis. Similar things can be said when the Boxers faced off against conference opponent Willamette University and came out with a 10-1 victory. Due to the Boxers great defensive play and all around scoring efforts with eight players earning runs, Pacific was able to dominate in the game. 

   These early performances are influential for a team that usually faces a mix of both conference and non-conference opponents pretty early in the season before real Northwest Conference play begins. The non-conference games allow coaches to test lineups, develop younger players, and solidify the teams pitching roles before the critical portion of the season kicks off.

   As the season continues, Pacific appears well positioned to compete for another strong finish in the conference as they currently sit fourth in the standings and still have a month and a half of games to play. The combination of an experienced batter, returning pitchers, and lessons learned from last year’s comeback season gives the Boxers an advantage and a solid foundation to be successful once again. 

   If the team can maintain the high offensive production they’ve shown, while also continuing to develop pitching depth, Pacific will continue to climb the standings and be competitive in the conference. As of now, the early part of the season is over and if the Boxers continue to display the same resilience they showed around this time last year, Pacific University baseball could be in for another exciting season and give Forest Grove something to cheer about.