California loves its baseball, a longstanding sentiment that extends to the programs of the CCAA. In 2025, the Golden State's collection of talented Div. II teams jockey for bragging rights and a trip to the NCAA Regionals in a conference featuring plenty of new breakout candidates and established playmakers. 

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Cal State Monterey Bay looks to repeat its dual-championship success of 2024, and the Otters have the firepower to run it back. They can expect plenty of competition, including from 2024 CCAA Tournament runner-up San Francisco State; a veteran Cal Poly Pomona squad coming off three straight NCAA Tournament appearances; and perhaps even a team like Sonoma State under a new but highly successful head coach. 

Cal Poly Pomona Baseball

Head Coach: Randy Betten 

2024 Record: 32-24 overall, 25-15 CCAA 

Cal Poly Pomona is a perennial winner under coach Randy Betten and always a contender for an NCAA Regional appearance. The Mustangs charge into 2025 with three straight trips to the postseason after the 2024 team won 31 games before advancing to the NCAA Tournament. 

However, a CCAA championship has eluded the program since 2015. CPP has the pieces to end that drought in 2025, and perhaps even compete for the Mustangs' fourth-ever NCAA title. 

CPP features one of the most fearsome one-two punches at the plate in all of Div. II baseball, returning sluggers Johnny Pappas and Jack Sanders after outstanding 2024 seasons. Pappas hit .352 and homered 11 times en route to a 1.032 OPS, with Sanders delivering 14 homers, a .346 batting average and 1.064 OPS. Sanders and fellow returner Brent Cota also swiped eight bases each. 

On the mound, the Mustangs must replace three of the four arms in an outstanding starting 2024 rotation. They retain right-hander Evan Adolphus, however, who struck out 56 in 70 1/3 innings of work. 

Cal State Dominguez Hills Baseball

Head Coach: Tyler Wright 

2024 Record: 20-29, 16-23

Although Cal State Dominguez Hills had a middling finish in the 2024 CCAA standings, the Toros featured one of the best hitters in the conference — if not the nation. 

Noah Karliner's 21 home runs were tied for seventh-most among all Div. II batters in 2024. The 6-foot-4 utilityman provides a solid cornerstone for CSUDH to be a dark-horse challenger in the CCAA. The Toros also return another outstanding offensive weapon in Trey Winget. The outfielder homered 10 times and stole 10 bases last season. 

The major question mark for CSUDH in 2025 is its pitching staff. No Toros starter finished 2024 with an ERA below 6.00. More consistent pitching this season could elevate CSUDH into the upper half of the conference with a chance to compete in the CCAA Tournament. 

Cal State East Bay Baseball

Head Coach: Mike Cummins

2024 Record: 22-29, 14-25 

Cal State East Bay aims to return to the CCAA Tournament in 2025 after reaching the postseason event in 2023. The Pioneers return a pair of hitters who produced averages above .300 in 164-plus at-bats, Luke Brown and Danelle Daniels, along with the pop Sam Gilliam provided in his opportunities. Gilliam hit four home runs, most among CSUEB returners, in 99 total at-bats. 

East Bay also has one of the top starting pitchers in the CCAA with 6-foot-4 righty Gabe Tanner. Tanner went 9-4 in 13 starts, posted a 3.56 ERA and 1.14 WHIP and struck out 67 in his 93 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-9 right-handed reliever Derek Murphy has an intimidating presence on the mound that in 2024 manifested with 32 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings pitched. 

The Pioneers will need more consistent offense to find their way into the CCAA Tournament, but building off of Tanner as the ace of the pitching staff isn't a bad place to go for CSUEB to be a surprise contender in 2025. 

Cal State LA Baseball

Head Coach: Vince Beringhele

2024 Record: 23-27, 17-23 

With nearly two full decades under his belt at Cal State LA, coach Vince Beringhele has seen plenty of ups and downs. The Golden Eagles are chasing their first CCAA championship-contending high since 2018, when they won 28 games overall and competed in the conference tournament. 

CSULA's cornerstone for 2025 is Isaiah Marquez, a breakout offensive weapon last season with his .348 batting average, team-leading 1.039 OPS, and another couple of team-highs with 10 home runs and 52 RBI. The talented outfielder joins veteran catcher Malik Clayton, who also eclipsed 1.000 OPS in 2024 with eight homers and a .600 slugging percentage; and middle infielder Javy Espinoza, the Saint Mary's transfer with a .327 batting average. 

The meat of the CSULA batting order is as good as any in the CCAA. The Golden Eagles' prospects of contending for the conference crown hinge primarily on improvements from the pitching staff. No CSULA returner had an ERA lower than 5.50, but the most proven of the Golden Eagles arms, right-hander Joel Martinez, did produce nearly a strikeout for every inning pitched. 

Cal State Monterey Bay Baseball

Head Coach: 

2024 Record: 39-21, 27-13 

Boasting four CCAA championships and fast approaching 500 career wins, Cal State Monterey Bay coach Walt White has established himself among the best managers in West Coast college baseball. His Otters will again contend for a conference championship, and perhaps a Div. II College World Series bid in 2025 with an impressive combination of bats and arms back from last year's 39-win roster. 

All-CCAA and All-West Region slugger Jaden Sheppard powers the Otters at the plate. The 6-foot-6 Fresno State transfer made an immediate splash with his .355 batting average and 15 home runs. Opponents hoping to pitch around Sheppard will have to concern themselves with how to approach KW Quilici. 

The All-American outfielder Quilici slashed .349/.472/.633, homered 11 times, and showed off his speed with six triples. Quilici's constant threat for extra bases every time he steps up is unparalleled. And, with CSUMB having Cole Murchison getting on base at a near .500 clip, the Otters should regularly have opportunities to drive in runs. 

CSUMB's pitching staff returns left-hander Mitchell Torres, one of last season's primary starters. Torres produced a 3.48 ERA in 67 1/3 innings and went 5-1 in his 15 appearances. CSUMB had one of the best closers in Div. II baseball with Vincent Cicolello, who's back after putting up a 2.55 ERA with 23 strikeouts and five saves in 2024. 

Cal State San Bernardino Baseball

Head Coach: Mike Nadeau 

2024 Record: 23-25, 16-22 

After a backslide in 2024, Cal State San Bernardino aims to repeat its Div. II College World Series run of 2023 in the 2025 campaign. The Coyotes emerged two years ago as the surprise of Div. II baseball, going 46-19 and contending for the national championship after taking down CCAA counterpart Cal State Monterey Bay in the Super Regional. 

Despite falling out of CCAA contention a season ago, the Coyotes featured some playmakers with the potential to return CSUSB to the title mix. Jacob Mejia, who slugged a team-best .541, returns, along with the multidimensional Jason Shedlock. Shedlock batted .316 in 2024 and swiped a team-leading nine bases on 10 attempts. 

The Coyotes pitching staff will feature a variety of new contributors after losing Benny Olguin, Luke Hempel and Ivan Rodriguez. Right-hander Carter Herrera, who split time between relief and starting, showed promise with 34 strikeouts in 44 innings. 

Cal State San Marcos Baseball

Head Coach: Jose Garcia 

2024 Record: 27-21, 26-13 

Cal State San Marcos embarks on its third season under the direction of reigning CCAA Coach of the Year Jose Garcia looking to build on the success of 2024. The Cougars emerged from a challenging non-conference schedule to finish second in the league behind some of the best batting anywhere in Div. II baseball. 

Five Cougars hit at least four home runs in 2024. Three of those five hitters return in 2025: Garrett Teunissen (five home runs, 44 RBI, .380 average, 1.020 OPS); Cameron Mahaffy (nine home runs, 45 RBI, .349 average, 1.060 OPS); and Phoenix Sommay (four home runs, 37 RBI, .341 average, .938 OPS). Teunissen is also among the best base-runners in Div. II baseball, having swiped 22 bags last season. 

CSUSM's pitching rotation welcomes back Nolan Long, a reliable lefty who appeared in long relief for most of his 19 appearances in 2024. He fanned a team-best 50 batters. Right-hander Preston Kelly, who struck out 34 coming out of the pen for 23 appearances, posted a 3.92 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. 

Chico State Baseball

Head Coach: Dave Taylor 

2024 Record: 25-24, 19-20 

Wildly successful Chico State head coach Dave Taylor has 600 career wins within reach. Before hitting that remarkable milestone, Taylor and the 2025 Wildcats aim to return to the CCAA title picture. 

Chico State was a middle-of-the-pack finisher in 2024, but the near-.500 campaign may have been growing pains necessary for a 2025 breakout. The three top offensive weapons for the Wildcats are back: Daniel Vierra, Troy Kent and Jeremy Keller. All batted north of .340 and combined for 18 home runs with 115 RBI. With seven stolen bases, Kent also joins Thade Miller as one of Chico State's base-running threats. Miller swiped 10 bags a season ago. 

Chico State must replace a quality one-two at the top of its starting pitching rotation with Ethan Lay and Kevin Lyons gone. Right-handed reliever Joseph Loubert is back, however, coming off a 2024 season with a 3.41 ERA, 40 strikeouts and .241 opponent batting average in his 34 1/3 innings pitched. 

San Francisco State Baseball

Head Coach: Tony Schifano

2024 Record: 34-26, 22-18 

The 2024 season was a landmark for San Francisco State baseball. The Gators reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nearly 30 years after advancing to the championship round of the CCAA Tournament. Look for SFSU to contend for the CCAA crown again in 2025. 

Sacramento native Justin Johnson's return to Norcal after having played at Jackson State proved fruitful, as Johnson hit .374 and was among the top home-run hitters in the league with 15. He is back along with Derek Laferriere, who hit .355 and capitalized on his ability to get aboard with 10 stolen bases. Two-way player Anthony Alvarez returns from a five home-run campaign, and Daniel Santos, who hit .302 and homered six times, is also back in the mix. 

SFSU's abundance of proven hitters complements a pitching staff that brings back its three primary starters: David Eichhorn, Ryan Garza and Nathan Shinn. The trio combined to strike out 211 batters in 2024. Eichhorn led the way with an ERA of 4.42 and a WHIP of 1.27. Andrew Silva came out of the bullpen primarily last season and proved himself to be a dependable closer with five saves. 

Sonoma State Baseball

Head Coach: Jacob Garsez 

2024 Record: 25-26, 19-21 

Sonoma State baseball enters a new era in 2025 with the arrival of Jacob Garsez as head coach. Garsez led a dramatic turnaround in his previous stop at Oregon Tech, transforming the perennially struggling program into a conference champion. 

Sonoma State is not nearly the same level of rebuilding project, with the Seawolves finishing right around .500 every full season since 2017. They are seeking their first conference championship since 2014, however. In 2025, Sonoma State embarks on that pursuit with a variety of key roles to be filled. 

Last season's top five hitters with at least 125 at-bats are gone, and the starting pitching staff undergoes wholesale change. However, catcher Chris Ortiz hit four home runs in 2024 and Garret Barto showed plenty of pop in 95 at-bats with five dingers a season ago. Lefty Michael Panichi made four starts in 10 total appearances last season, striking out 21 in 35 innings and producing a 1.34 WHIP. 

Stanislaus State Baseball

Head Coach: Kenny Leonesio 

2024 Record: 19-27-1, 15-23 

Under the direction of longtime head coach Stanislaus State, the Warriors head into 2025 looking to climb from the bottom of the CCAA with a roster featuring plenty of new faces. Among them is right-handed pitcher Cameron Rosen, a Fresno native who contributed to 2023 GLIAC championship-winning Wayne State. 

Flavio Perez was once in the role of a transfer newcomer for the Warriors. The JUCO product now settles in as one of the more proven players on the roster in 2025. Perez homered eight times, drove in a team-leading 35 runs and successfully stole base on all five of his attempts. The Warriors also bring back Alex Solis, who hit five home runs in 2024. 

Right-hander Caleb Bertoncini posted a 3.96 ERA and struck out 35 in 2024. He'll be a potential cornerstone for a rotation with some new contributors in line to factor into the Warriors plans. 

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