RANCHO MURIETA, Calif. --- "Slow heartbeat!" 

If you were within earshot of the diamond, it was a refrain you'd almost certainly hear from the Biola dugout at some point during the 2020 season.

The Eagles' coaching staff used the phrase to remind the team of its commitment to being composed and ready in key situations, to resisting the times the game may speed them up in big moments. And that demeanor proved crucial in Biola's rise to No. 8 in the NCAA DII National rankings.

Middle infielder Tyler White already has a command of that slow heartbeat as he transfers to Biola from Concordia Portland; his track record shows that he's prepared to step up and lead when his teams have needed him. 

"Tyler is a solid young Christian man. He has overcome a tough year with the closing of Concordia University and a shortened season and handled it with a great attitude," said Head Coach Jeff Calhoon. "He is a proven winner in high school and is very competitive. He fits into our culture of competition and defensive focus we are continuing to grow in. 

"His staff at Concordia spoke very highly of him and we cannot wait to get our opportunity to work with Tyler!"

White initially committed to the Cavaliers out of Jesuit High School, where he was an honors student and made a big difference as a team captain his senior year. After the Marauders lost in the first round of CIF play during White's junior season, the infielder doubled his hit and walk totals as a senior, increased his fielding percentage by 35 points, and was ranked as the No. 1 shortstop in the Delta League by MaxPreps.com.

Jesuit Baseball won the 2018 Delta League Title and advanced to the CIF DI Sac-Jaoquin Section Semifinals with the help of White's increased production and senior leadership.

White continued to step up once he got to Portland in Fall 2018. He was named Concordia Baseball's Rookie of the Year in the 2019 season, joined the Cavaliers Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and was named to the Athletic Honor Roll as a freshman before taking on a more central role as a sophomore. 

The California-native started 13 of the Cavaliers' 15 games in 2020 while maintaining his role on SAAC and continuing to excel in his studies. He was one of eight men on his team to earn GNAC All-Academic team recognition after earning a 3.49 GPA as a business major. 

He'll continue to study business at Biola and hopes to move into a career as a college athletics administrator after graduation. White is also grateful for the level of optimism surrounding his new baseball program:

"After being informed that Concordia University was closing its doors for good and losing our season to COVID-19, it was great talking to Coach Calhoon and Coach Chris Baker about the culture, high energy, and competitiveness at Biola," said White. "I'm excited to come back home to California and get to work as part of the Biola family!"
 
Tyler White will have three seasons of eligibility remaining when he joins Biola Baseball for its renewed pursuit of an NCAA West Regional berth in 2021. More information on the incoming 2020-21 class that will join him at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.