First-year head coach Jacob Upwood got a nice surprise when he arrived at Pacific – a talented and deep pitching staff.
 
"It's not something you typically have as a strength when you take over a new position," said Upwood, who comes to the Boxers after 11 seasons as an assistant coach at North Park. 
 
"That's definitely a benefit. There's quite a bit of talent. We're going to be able to shorten games, which is always helpful. That's an absolute luxury to have."
 
Junior Governor Aufranc, who led Pacific with four wins last season, returns at the top of the starting rotation, along with senior Vincent Lagatta and freshman Nicholas Saelens. 
 
The Boxers also have a deep bullpen that includes fifth-year Davis Koester, who enters the season with the most appearances (90) in program history and is one save away from the all-time record, along with seniors William Merriott and Hunter Edwards and junior Matt Palmateer.
 
The wildcard is junior Chance Wallace, a potential No. 1 starter who is working his way back from a shoulder injury. 
 
"There's guys who have some really good stuff, guys who throw it in the strike zone," Upwood said. "I think that's going to be a strength of ours. Makes my job easier. You don't have to try to squeeze an extra inning out of a guy if you're not 100 percent sure it's going to work out in your favor." 
 
At the plate, Pacific is led by fifth-year outfielder Matt Gibbs, who was voted First Team All-Northwest Conference last season after hitting .338 with 13 doubles, seven home runs, 41 runs, 33 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.
 
Sophomore Benjamin Lewis, who hit .407 with six doubles and 16 RBIs last season as a freshman, returns at first base.
 
With the transfer of Division III home run king and Northwest Conference Player of the Year, CJ Colyer, to Utah Valley, the Boxers will play more small ball this season. 
 
Last spring, North Park finished sixth in Division III with 137 stolen bases. 
 
"The aggressiveness on the bases is definitely something that we're going to try to do more of," Upwood said. "They (Pacific) had more thump in the lineup the last couple of years. There may be a little bit more small ball based on what we've seen from the offense so far."
 
The Boxers open the 2025 season at Corban University on Feb. 14 before hosting the Warriors for three games on Feb. 15-16. 
 
Pacific's schedule includes Top 30 teams East Texas Baptist, La Verne, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Cal Lutheran. 
 
"The nonconference schedule that we're going to play is pretty freaking stacked," Upwood said. "I'm excited. It's been fun. The coaching staff is all on the same page, which is huge."