COSTA MESA, Calif. --- It seems like all the memorable baseball teams have players like Riley Mitchell, the versatile left-handed hitters who can steal a base in crunch time or come up with a big at-bat. 

Head Coach Calhoon has men like Tyler Baca and Cole Beemer to fill that role for the 2020 season. But adding Mitchell gives the Eagles a prime player at that spot through 2024 and brings more championship experience to a roster already loaded with it.

"Riley is a dynamite fit for Biola University and Biola Baseball. He plays with high energy and brings another left handed bat that can run into our program," said Head Coach Jeff Calhoon. "He has the ability to play both the middle-infield and outfield at a high level and should be exciting to watch in our offensive plan. I am fired up to have him in our family!"

Mitchell helped the Costa Mesa High School Mustangs to its most successful season in almost 60 years during his junior year in 2019. After going 9-6 in Orange Coast League play, Mitchell's Mustangs caught fire in the playoffs and advanced to the Division 6 CIF Southern Section Championship with four-straight wins. Costa Mesa posted a 27-to-6 run differential during that run to the Championship and Mitchell scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the semifinals that sent the Mustangs to their first CIF final since 1962. 

That came after Mitchell's team upset the top-seed 10-1 on the road and posted a 5-3 come-from-behind win in the quarterfinals to get to that point. 

MaxPreps.com credits Mitchell with 22 stolen bases and 36 hits in 56 varsity games at Costa Mesa. He had previously been selected for the Southern California National Team Identification Series squad that went to North Carolina in 2017 to play for the chance to represent USA Baseball internationally. And Mitchell has also spent time with the West Coach Bulldogs and OC Hustle developmental teams. 

Away from the field, Mitchell is a four-time scholar-athlete and started a Christian club at Costa Mesa High. He plans to major in business administration at Biola and looks forward to continued growth in his Christian faith while he's in the baseball program: 

"I really liked the players that I interacted with and thought the coaches were amazing," said Mitchell. "Walking around campus it felt like home and I could tell everyone has a deep relationship with Christ. I also feel like this is a place where I will grow in my walk and have an amazing time playing baseball."

Mitchell will join his new teammates at Biola in August 2020. More information on the incoming 2020-21 class that will join her at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.