LONG BEACH, Calif. --- Brayden Englert committed to a different kind of summer baseball experience when chose to take on some additional preparation for his first year of collegiate athletics.

After an impressive senior campaign at Los Alamitos High School, Englert signed on with the SoCal Shepherds for its inaugural summer as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' second summer collegiate baseball team based in Southern California. Described as a "team centered on ministry," the Shepherds' prioritized their game schedule and their efforts to spread the gospel equally, fitting their matchups with other summer ball teams around the FCA Baseball Camps for youth baseball players held throughout the summer.

Along with his teammates, Englert served as a lead coach at FCA camps this summer and also traveled to Mexico for a short-term mission in partnership with a Christian building ministry.

"Playing for the Shepherds was an awesome experience," said Englert. "I got to coach a bunch of FCA camps that I grew up going to, as well as play some very competitive baseball. I could not have asked for much more."

On the playing field, Englert comes to Biola on the heels of a senior season in which he posted a .366 batting average and a 2.80 ERA as a pitcher. He was named First Team All-Sunset League, First Team All-Orange County and appeared on the First Team on the Press-Telegram Dream Team that was released on June 13. Englert also participated in Perfect Game showcases as a member of TB SoCal Baseball, earning a 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game All-American mention and posting one of the top fastball velocities (91 mph) at the PG Fall National Championship in Glendale, Arizona this past September.

"Brayden, has some huge upside. He just started pitching and that is where we see his future in the game," said Head Coach Jay Sullenger. "He projects to be a consistent 90's [mph] guy by the time he is done here at Biola, but has enough stuff to help us right now with his frame and athleticism. And the way he carries himself as an athlete is much like I have seen his heart spiritually. There is a lot of humble confidence and desire to grow and contribute to what God is doing here within the program."

Englert will begin Fall classes at Biola in September and major in business administration. More information about other incoming student-athletes can be found on the Committed Athletes page.