LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The Eagles Athletic Association and Biola Baseball are pleased to announce the annual Biola Baseball First Pitch Dinner to be held Feb. 2, 2017 in the Andrews Banquet Room on the campus of Biola University. Highlighting the event this year will be a special message from former MLB 12th Round Draft Pick, Matt Hagen. Hagen was recently named the new manager for the Spokane Indians, a Class A Short Season affiliate of the Texas Rangers organization.

This is the third year that Head Coach Jay Sullenger has hosted an elegant preseason dinner to introduce the team, bond with friends and family of the program and hear special remarks from key people from the Christian baseball community. The cost is $30 per adult and $15 per child (12 and under). The cost includes a special dinner and a message from Hagen.

All proceeds go towards ongoing Eagles Athletic Association projects that directly benefit the student-athlete experience on the Biola Baseball team, including scholarships and the team's ongoing ministry efforts. The link to register and pay can be found above. For questions, please contact Noelle Delacruz at (562) 906-4597.

The 2017 season will be Hagen's first season as a manager after the 36-year-old was drafted in the 12th round of the 2002 draft out of Liberty University by the Seattle Mariners and spent 11 years in minor league and independent ball, including time in the NWL as a player for the Everett AquaSox. Hagen's coaching career also consists of time with the Inland Empire 66ers, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Liberty University, and the University of Texas.

We are excited to have Matt share about his walk of faith with the Lord throughout his baseball career and the mission of the gospel within intercollegiate and professional baseball. 

For more information on the Eagles Athletic Association and how to get involved, please visit https://giving.biola.edu/societies/eaa/.

Online registration closes Sunday Jan. 29, 2017 at 11:59 PM (PST).