Last spring, Will Clark became Pacific's career strikeout leader (188).  
 
Now, Clark returns to the mound with a shot to rewrite more of the Pacific baseball record book. 
 
"He's a great competitor," Pacific head coach Brian Billings said. "He's got great fastball command. He's got a good slider. Good curveball. Knows how to pitch. He's a super reliable guy and sets an awesome example for the rest of the pitching staff."
 
Billings, who enters his 10th season as the head coach of the Boxers, is also on the cusp of two career milestones. Billings is one win away from his 400th NCAA victory and two wins from his 200th victory at Pacific. 
 
The Boxers open the 2024 regular season on Feb. 17 at home against Corban University.
 
"I'm excited about this team," Billings said. "We'll be strong on the mound."
 
Along with Clark, a First Team All-Northwest Conference pitcher who was 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings last season, Pacific also returns pitchers Shane Melrose, Joey Harmon, Cayden Okada, CJ Colyer, Davis Koester, Hunter Edwards, Governor Aufranc and Chance Wallace.
 
Melrose was a Second Team All-Conference relief pitcher last season for the Boxers while Koester broke Pacific's appearance record. 
 
Colyer, who didn't pitch last year due to a forearm injury, was a First Team All-Conference outfielder, hitting .388 with 12 home runs, 15 doubles and 49 RBIs. 
 
Pacific also returns First Team All-Conference shortstop Ty Yukumoto, who hit .371 and led the Boxers in runs (43) and stolen bases (23).
 
Pacific did graduate 32 home runs from last year's team.
 
"We will miss some of those guys, but I'm excited about the group that we have," Billings said. "It's kind of a next guy up mentality. And we're excited to see how the young guys step into some roles and as well as some of the transfers that we brought in."
 
The Boxers have won three straight regular season NWC championships.
 
"I try not to have expectations as far as winning championships or anything like that," Billings said. "For me, it's about just trying to develop the players and trying to get ready to play every day and be the best version of ourself. 
 
"You kind of get used to winning. I think that our guys have that belief that they can win, but I think with expectations comes undue pressure. So we try not to put expectations on ourselves and just go out there and compete."
 
Pacific hosts Eastern Oregon University on Friday in an exhibition doubleheader.
 
"It should be a fun year," Billings said. "The conference is really good. I can see really any of the nine schools making the conference tournament, including us. As long as we stay healthy and we keep getting better, I think we have a shot to be as good as any team that we've had here."

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