AUBURN, Wash. --- Biola University reached another milestone in its newly obtained NCAA Full Membership status on November 13 when catcher Rhett Stein became the first future Eagle to complete a National Letter of Intent with the University. 

Stein is a four-year varsity player with the Auburn High Trojans in Washington and is an exciting addition to Head Coach Jeff Calhoon's 2020-21 recruiting class. Stein is a three-time all-league selection for the Trojans, showed projectable tools during this summer's workouts and will bring the type of work ethic the Eagles try to build the program around when he enrolls for the Fall 2020 semester.

"Rhett comes from a historically successful program in Auburn High School and has a work ethic that is second to none," said Coach Calhoon. "Rhett has potential to be a high level catcher for our program: he is a solid receiver behind the plate and is a right-handed bat with power that we are excited to have as a member of our first recruiting class."

With one more year of high school baseball ahead, Stein has already recorded 60 hits across 56 varsity games and posted a .345 batting average according to MaxPreps. He was named First Team All-North Puget Sound League (Olympic Division) and his team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after stepping into a run-producer roll for the Trojans: Stein recorded eight more hits and 12 more RBI's last year than he did as a sophomore and had eight extra-base hits. 

Stein has a good eye at the dish, striking out just 15 times in 198 varsity plate appearance while working 24 free passes, and also has speed enough to record 27 stolen bases. 

Away from the diamond, Stein has used much of his time to give back to the community. He was elected to his student government twice, volunteered as a little league umpire and organized a fundraiser for an Auburn homeless shelter that raised over $1,000. 

He plans to major in business administration when he arrives at Biola and aspires to work in a Major League Baseball front office after his time as an Eagle. Stein is a two-time NPSL scholar athlete and in a three-year member of DECA, a club for high school students with career interests in marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and management.

Stein explained that he chose Biola because he felt the University would help him build on the success he's already accomplished on the field and in the classroom: 

"I chose Biola because the University will help me to grow my faith, participate in competitive NCAA DII baseball, and give me the opportunity to study in a business program that will prepare me for life after college," said Stein.
 
More information on the incoming 2020-21 class that will join Turnquist at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.