ROCKLIN, Calif. --- Keith Walker's high level of production hasn't slowed since he earned team MVP honors during his final high school season at Rocklin High. In fact, Walker's numbers at the collegiate level make a convincing case about his abilities as both a hitter and pitcher.

With his bat, Walker earned All-Bay Valley Conference honors in his first year at Yuba College and was an instrumental reason for the 49ers' winning record at home over his two years with the squad. Then with his arm, Walker demonstrated consistent strikeout stuff on the mound during several good outings with the Lincoln Potters in the California Collegiate League last summer.

But as he looked for a new baseball home in 2021 and beyond, Walker was determined to put his production toward helping a program chase a championship. So he is joining Biola Baseball after the Eagles' 12-2 start to the 2020 season produced a No. 8 ranking in the NCAA DII National Poll. 

"I chose Biola because of the great program that this coaching staff is building and I wanted to go to a place where we could compete for a championship," said Walker. "I was not able to officially visit due to the coronavirus. But after talking to the coaches and some players, the culture here just seemed like a perfect fit. I cannot wait to get onto campus and get to work!"
 
After collecting 30 hits in 25 games for a .366 batting average and First Team All-Sierra Foothill League honors as a senior in high school, Walker didn't skip a beat during his first season at Yuba. The versatile Rocklin, California-native led the 49ers in virtually all hitting categories over 38 games in 2019, posting a .326 average, 14 extra-base hits and 27 RBI's. Then Walker continued to rake with 25 hits, a team-best 14 runs and 11 ribbies in the first 19 games of 2020. 
 
As one might imagine, Walker's stellar every-day production at the plate inclined the 49ers to keep him in the lineup and limit his load on the mound. But he still averaged about a strikeout per inning on the mound at Yuba and became a crucial part of the pitching staff for the 2019 Lincoln Potters. 
 
While Biola right-hander Tyler Mead had a great summer with the same team in 2019, Walker allowed just one run over his first 6.2 innings of work for the Potters while striking out six. He ended up having multiple strikeouts in eight of his 11 outings and even earned three starts at the end of his stint with the CCL squad, totaling 26.2 innings. 
 
That statline was all the convincing the Eagles needed to believe Walker was a high-level two-way player. And the coaching staff is eager to add someone with his talent and hunger to end the year in a dogpile:
 
"Keith is a solid two way player at a good junior college. He is a quality young man that brings an edge when he plays and Coach Ben Cordy and I are looking forward to how he will develop on the mound and at the plate in our system," said Head Coach Jeff Calhoon. "Keith is strong, comes from a great family, and is excited to be a part of our program. We cannot wait to get him down here from NorCal and get to work!"

Keith Walker hopes to be a teacher or coach after majoring in history at Biola and will join an Eagles team that has legitimate hopes for a run at an NCAA West Regional Berth in 2021. More information on the incoming 2020-21 class that will join Walker at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.