The Eagles enter their 20th season of intercollegiate baseball with high hopes of continuing the winning tradition.  Last season Eagle head coach Ryan Howard led his team to a regional championship game. Since Coach Howard took over the Eagle program, Eagle teams have won 2 conference championships, participated in 3 regional tournaments, and capped off last year with a regional championship appearance. Six out of Seven seasons that Coach Howard has been at the helm, the Eagles have been nationally ranked in the NAIA top 25. Coach Howard also stresses his teams to succeed academically. The Eagles Baseball Team has received Avila 's Fred Geer Academic Cup as the male athletic team with the top grade point average.

The team has also had two members receive honors for the highest male individual GPA within the athletic department including last years, Shawn Wadsworth from Shawnee Mission South High School .

The 2008 version of the Eagles will feature a strong pitching staff and an explosive offense, as well as some new faces since Howard landed one the conference's top recruiting classes. The pitching staff will be led by senior Rob Carey, a first team all conference selection in 2007.  Carey is joined by seniors Matt Garner, Michael Brun, Scott Holder, and juniors Zach Snyder, Santos Villanueva III, and Nathan Albert who will all play a large part in the Eagles pursuit of a championship. The bull pen will be led by junior Taylor Monjo who will be joined by Juniors James Lane and Michael Brucks. Sophomore Wes Stancher and Freshmen Jason Bell and Michael Liebenberg will be making their first appearances on the mound for the Eagles this season.

This year the Eagles come back strong with position players. Second Team All-Conference Award winner senior 3 rd baseman Eric Menees leads the infield with Jeremy Arbiso a first team all-conference and all-region 2 nd baseman in 2006 returns after redshirting in 2007. Junior transfer Jeff Woods will take over at shortstop for the Eagles while Junior Kyle Mowatt and Freshman Patrick Cocherl III will compete for playing time at 1 st base. Austin Speer, Eric Prickett, and Jesus Garcia will have plenty of opportunities to display their talents on the Eagle infield.

Seniors Brad Davidson ( Blue Springs , MO), Neftali Lizarraga, and Adam Rodriguez return to the outfield for the Eagles. Junior Ryan Jensen looks to be in the stating line-up at the beginning of the season. Vying for playing time in the outfield, will be Junior Colby Ross and Freshmen Nathan Monteith as well as Freshman Conner Ronan.

Drew Ambach and Brandon Haley will be sharing time behind the plate for the Avila University Eagles in 2008. Brian Flattinger will be backing up Ambach and Haley while filling in as a utility player.

The first pitch of the Eagles season will be on February 9th at home against Northwestern College . 

Good Luck Eagles