Jake Entrekin re himself as an eighth-grader: 5-foot-2, a little doughy and slow of foot —not exactly built like a future baseball star.
The San Diego native liked watching YouTube videos of then-St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina throwing runners out. Heading into high school at Steele Canyon in Spring Valley, his goal was simple — have a shot at making the varsity team.
He didn’t expect that years later, he’d be graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University as a first-team All-American and the program’s all-time leader in home runs and runs batted in.
“[For college] I just wanted to go somewhere they liked me and thought I’d be part of their future, where I’d have a chance to play,” Entrekin said. “I couldn’t be happier with how it played out. It never crossed my mind that I’d have a chance to be an All-American. I started thinking about it last year. It became a lofty goal for my junior season.”
On May 28, Entrekin, now a 6-foot-1 catcher and designated hitter, earned his second All-American honor of the year from the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association.
He was named to the first team by both the D2CCA and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association after a dominant season in which he batted .402 with 23 home runs and a program-record 74 RBIs.
Entrekin led the West Region in nearly every major offensive category and finishes his college career as Point Loma Nazarene’s all-time leader in home runs (49) and RBIs (194). He s Baxter Halligan (2022) and James Sashin (2024) as the only Sea Lions to earn first-team All-American honors from multiple organizations in the same season.
Behind his offense, PLNU earned its fourth consecutive NCAA West Regional appearance, finishing 39-18 and falling one win short of the Super Regionals.
“This year felt different — I was kind of the focal point of the offense,” said the right-handed-hitting Entrekin. “I knew teams were pitching me inside, so I sat on that pitch and focused on being on time for it, even though it’s not my strength. That mindset opened up the rest of the zone and made me a better hitter overall.”
Entrekin also led the West Region in slugging percentage (.825), on-base percentage (.524), on-base plus slugging (1.349) and walks (42).
“Jake is one of the top three hitters I’ve seen in college across all levels,” said PLNU senior relief pitcher Michael Sarhatt. “His ability to hit for average and power anchored our offense. Facing him was a nightmare. Beyond his talent, Jake is a great teammate and leader. I’m honored to call him my brother.”
Entrekin hit his first collegiate home run in his second game as a freshman, surprising himself after a fall league with little power and few hits.
“I ended up catching because our senior pulled his hamstring,” Entrekin said. “I was surprised to hit [the home run] — especially since I hadn’t thought I had the power. It went right-center, where all my homers seem to go.”
His last college home run came in the eighth inning of PLNU’s final win of the season — a 20-6 rout May 15 over Northwest Nazarene in the West Regionals. It came off a cut fastball that painted the outside corner.
“We were hitting really well against Northwest Nazarene — just smoking them,” Entrekin said. “There was a 45-second delay because the pitcher’s watch wasn’t working, so I had extra time to get my routine and feel right.”
Entrekin said he won’t pursue professional baseball but looks forward to coaching youth-level players in the art of hitting.
He was a finance major at PLNU, though he said he hasn’t yet decided on his future.
“I always wanted a good college career — that was my main goal, not necessarily to play pro ball,” Entrekin said. “I just wanted the opportunity to play in college, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I’m going to miss playing, but I’m grateful for the career I’ve had. God blessed me with the chance to play at Loma.”
