LA MIRADA, Calif. --- After Head Coach Jeff Calhoon canvassed his coaching network over the past several weeks and arranged for a few contacts to move to Southern California, Biola Athletics officially announced the Biola Baseball coaching staff on Wednesday. 

The Eagles will welcome CJ Baker, Ben Cordy, and Bob Batesole as assistant coaches for the baseball program. With these additions, each member of the coaching staff brings NCAA DI coaching and/or playing experience to Biola as the Eagles prepare for their first season of NCAA postseason eligibility in 2020. 

"I am extremely excited with how the assistant coaching process went. We were able to find coaches with great experience, great knowledge of the game, and great experience in recruiting and camps," said Coach Calhoon. "This group is hungry to get to work and are excited about the future of what Biola University has in store. I am excited to get to work with these great Christian coaches."

CJ Baker joins the staff as the Eagles' hitting coach and will assist Coach Calhoon in recruiting after working as an assistant coach at Bucknell University for two and a half years. Baker served as the Bisons' third base coach and worked with hitters. 

Baker was also an assistant coach at NCAA D-II Lock Haven University in 2017 when the Bald Eagles set a program record with 32 wins, won their first playoff game since 1988 and was ranked as high as No. 3 in their regional poll. Baker also served as a graduate assistant at Seattle University, where he assisted with day-to-day operations, conducted individual drills and operated the team's social media accounts. 

Baker, a Washington native, played his junior college baseball in the NWAC conference similar to Calhoon. He finished his playing career at Simpson University and graduated with a Master's degree from the University of Washington in 2016.

"Jeff is one of the brightest up-and-coming coaches in college baseball, he offers an awesome passion and drive for the game as well as development of young men," said Baker. "Biola University has a rich history in baseball and I'm excited to be a part of a program that values baseball development and life development equally!"

Ben Cordy steps in as Biola's pitching coach after assisting at UC Davis for four seasons. Coach Cordy will also coordinate the team's video operations and oversee the Eagles' camp program. 

During his first three years with the Aggies, Cordy's team manager role had him primarily focusing on the team's outfielders and offense. The Aggies set a program record for fewest errors in a season by outfielders with five in both 2017 & 2018. He transitioned to working with UC Davis' pitchers for the 2019 season as the Aggies lowered their home runs allowed by 13 compared to the 2018 season while also lowering batting average against. 

Cordy played his college ball at CCCBCA powerhouse Sacramento City College before transferring to UC Davis to finish his career.

"Biola is a program with a lot of potential and players who are eager to get to work this fall," said Cordy. "Coach Calhoon is an extremely hard worker who's willing to continue to learn and make his team and coaches better."

Bob Batesole reunites with Calhoon after the two coached together at Westmont College. Batesole is coming off of three years as an assistant coach at USC and will work with the Eagles position players while he helps Calhoon prepare scouting reports of opponents. 

Prior to working with the outfielders and coaching first base with the Trojans, Coach Batesole had winning stints at Orange Coast College (2010-2013), Westmont College (2014-2015), and Chapman College (2016). 

Infielder development was also included among Batesole's list of duties at Westmont and Chapman. Westmont went 80-36 in the two years Batesole served in the program, won a GSAC tournament championship in 2014 and qualified for the NAIA Opening Round in both seasons. The Warriors also posted the second-best fielding percentage in the NAIA in 2015 while earning two gold glove winners. At Chapman, three of Coach Batesole's infielders earned All-Conference honors in 2016 while the Panthers went 26-16.

As a player, Batesole played four years at USC from 1980-83 and was a team captain for two years. He set the all-time hits and total bases record by the time he graduated and also earned two gold medals while playing for Team USA. 

"First, I would like to thank Coach Calhoon and the Biola Athletics for giving me this opportunity to assist with the Biola baseball program. I am extremely excited to be a part of the Biola family," said Batesole. "It's a great honor to be at one of the most prestigious Christian Universities in the country that also has a very proud baseball tradition."

Coach Calhoon and his staff will hold fall practices beginning in September and will wear a Biola uniform for the first time on January 31, 2020 when the Eagles host Cal State Monterey Bay, a team who has been in the NCAA West Regional Championships three of the past four years.