Following a record-setting performance last spring, the Pomona-Pitzer (P-P) baseball team will open their season as the No. 8 ranked team in the country across all divisions. On Friday, the Sagehens will face off against No. 9 East Texas Baptist — the same team they knocked out in the Super Regional round to punch their ticket to the College World Series a year ago.
But the Sagehens won’t let this sweet memory distract them from focusing on upcoming battles, according to first-year outfielder Kai Gonzaga PO ’28.
“Just focusing on what’s in front of you, not looking too far into the future,” Gonzaga said. “One thing at a time, one pitch at a time, just taking it day by day.”
Unlike last season, when P-P came in as underdogs to win the conference tournament, they came in as SCIAC favorites this year. Reigning West-Region Coach of the Year Frank Pericolosi knows the team is entering the season with high expectations, but he urges his players to keep their focus on the games at hand.
“We’re not going to surprise anybody, so we’re going to get everybody’s best coming at us,” Pericolosi said. “We did it last year, just trying to just focus on the moment.”
Aiding the team on their journey for another title run is an experienced cast of stars. Center fielder JC Ng PO ’25 and pitcher Hannoh Seo PO ’26 both return this year after All-American seasons in 2024. Pitcher Jake Hilton PO ’25 was last year’s SCIAC Pitcher of the Year, and seven of the nine players in the batting order from the World Series roster remain the same.
As one of the senior leaders on the team, Ng emphasized the importance of staying mentally sharp, even in the early-season games.
“The message that we’re trying to send the team is to just kind of keep the energy and keep the competitiveness throughout the entire season,” Ng said. “I think one of the things that made us so successful throughout last year was the grit and competitive mindset that we stayed in throughout the whole season.”
Ng and Pericolosi both expressed optimism about a promising group of young position players. Hitters Cooper Berry PZ ’27, Jack Gold PO ’27 and Gonzaga are expected to become anchors in the lineup alongside Ng and veteran catcher Peter Savas CG ’25. Junior Will Kinney PZ ’26 will continue to be a defensive force at second base after turning a team-high 30 double plays and batting .300 last season.
On the mound, veterans Wade Lawson PO ’26, Ethan Collins PO ’25 and Eamonn Woods PO ’25 look to take the ball behind Seo and Hilton with help from young arms in William Wallace PO ’27 and Max Brunngraber PZ ’27. The Sagehens lost pitcher Ethan Prough PO ’24, who appeared in more games last year than any other Division III player in the country.
Gonzaga, Ng and Pericolosi all said that they appreciate the strong values of the team early in the season.
“Another emphasis on our team is team culture, being there for everyone on the team and supporting all our guys, regardless of whether or not you’re playing,” Gonzaga said.
After being part of a .500 record team his sophomore year and then a World Series team his junior year, Ng explained how important unity is during both winning and losing seasons.
“The underclassmen have gelled a lot more with the team than I saw in years past,” Ng said. “And I think for a large team, that’s a pretty huge thing when a team can all get going and moving in one direction together.”
Pericolosi said that he found it encouraging to see how positive and upbeat the team is.
“We have good kids, good people out there that you like to come to the yard with,” he said. “I think our program, in general, has a good sense of humor. We love playing the game.”
The Sagehens’ first game Friday pits them against East Baptist — the highest-ranked opponent they’ll play this season. According to Pericolosi, the game will serve as a way to gauge the tough SCIAC schedule ahead. Ng encouraged his classmates to come out and support the team.
“Even though baseball may not be as fast-paced as other sports, I think the energy that the team brings and that spreads throughout the environment is unmatched compared to any other baseball team I’ve been on,” Ng said. “I think that we have a great group of guys that feed off each other, and that kind of feeds into whoever’s watching.”
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