LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The 2019 Biola baseball team entered some rarified air on Tuesday with the announcement of the All-PacWest teams from the conference office. A new program record was set with seven Eagles earning all-conference honors while the entire Biola starting infield appeared on the PacWest's list, marking the third time in the past decade that a single PacWest team has had all four starting infielders honored in the same year.

Senior Joey Magro earned a All-PacWest First Team selection as a utility fielder; Jackson Collins (first base), Connor Kostecka (shortstop) and Jerron Largusa (outfield) were selected to the Second Team; and RJ Bates (DH), RobertAnthony Cruz (second base) and Josh Ludeman (relief pitcher) landed on the Third Team.

I am incredibly proud of our All-PacWest selections for the 2019 season," said Head Coach Justin Duarte. "These men have set their hearts and minds on giving their best and it is great to see them honored within the conference. The impact they have made within the Biola Baseball program goes far beyond their performance and accolades and we look forward to building on their successes."

Magro qualified for the utility fielder distinction after starting 11 games this season between second base and shortstop and becomes the second Eagle in as many years to earn First Team honors at that position (Colton Worthington was also a First Team utility fielder in 2018). Magro earned his first career all-conference honor after finishing his season in the PacWest's top-15 for hits, runs scored, RBI's and stolen bases while setting career highs in homeruns and RBI's.

Magro finished his collegiate career as a .309-hitter with a .411 on-base percentage after recording six more walks than strikeouts in his 170 games and tied with Jerron Largusa this season for a team-best 16 multi-hit games.

Largusa also wraps up his great collegiate career as a .300-hitter and earned All-PacWest Second Team honors for the second-straight year after being Biola's leading slugger for the second season in a row. Largusa had more homeruns (8), runs scored (47) and RBI's (43) this season than he did in 2018 and had 21 fewer strikeouts as a senior. He was the third PacWest outfielder, behind Player of the Year Col Kleszcz and Point Loma's Micah Pries, to collect 40 RBI's and the third outfielder to collect 100 total bases. And the Las Vegas-native was the only outfielder in the PacWest to score at least 40 runs, drive in at least 40 runs and steal at least 10 bases this season.

"I am Incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to coach both Joey and Jerron," said Head Coach Justin Duarte. "Largusa was a stronghold all season in the 3-hole and he was well known throughout the conference as he returned to follow up on a stellar junior season.  Magro's versatility was incredible this season. He played second base, third base with some shortstop at a high level and he hit as a table setter at the top or middle of the lineup, wherever he was needed. These young men led with their character and faith and daily brought forth a spirit that elevated those around them. Both of Jerron and Joey epitomize the heart of the Biola Baseball program and I am honored to have served them this season."

Magro also anchored the hot corner of a starting infield that was fully represented on All-PacWest teams. Sophomore Jackson Collins led the conference in on-base percentage as late as May 1, finished top-five in the PacWest in slugging and on-base and earned Second Team honors after leading the Eagles in homeruns and walks. He was joined on the Second Team by Connor Kostecka, who finished the season 15-for-22 to push hit batting average over .300 and compiled 24 RBI's and a team-best 13 stolen bases. And second baseman wasn't far behind with 20 extra-base hits and 33 RBI's to settle on the Third Team.

The feat for this 2019 Eagles team is something no other team in Biola's former GSAC cohort (Azusa Pacific, California Baptist, Concordia, Fresno Pacific, Point Loma) has accomplished during their time in the PacWest. The only other PacWest infields that have all four starters earn all-conference recognition this decade are the 2010 Hawaii Pacific Sharks and the 2017 Dixie State Trailblazers.

And what makes Biola's all-conference accomplishment even more impressive is that the Eagles are projected to return five all-PacWest infielders in 2020 with all-conference hitters Jacob Portaro and Ryan Gallegos set to recover from injury.

Biola's other two all-conference players also have a year of eligibility left. Junior DH RJ Bates landed on the All-PacWest Third Team after hitting eight homeruns, seven on the road, and collecting 11 multi-hit games. He was named alongside relief pitcher Josh Ludeman, who was tied for third in the PacWest with six saves, and had nine scoreless appearances this season.

The Eagles will use these honors as the base for their success in the 2020 season, the first year Biola is eligible for NCAA postseason play.