Every baseball player grows up dreaming of playing in the World Series. For the members of the Point Loma Nazarene baseball team, that dream came true this spring when they got to play in the NCAA Division II College Baseball World Series. What made this season different for the Sea Lions was that this year, they had a secret weapon driving their success: their Team IMPACT teammate, Nathan.
Nathan has been through a lot in his 10 years of life. As his family was getting ready to bring newborn Nathan home from the hospital, he was taken from the room for an evaluation. His medical team noticed he was turning blue, and he was soon diagnosed with a severe heart abnormality. At only four days old, Nathan had his first open heart surgery. Over the next few years, he had two more. When his grandmother, Gloria, heard about Team IMPACT at a camp, she knew Nathan would love to have a team of his own.
In February of 2024, Nathan was matched with the Point Loma Nazarene baseball team, the same month baseball season officially began. With Nathan on their team, the Sea Lions went on a historic run, finishing their season with a 46-13-1 record, winning their third-straight PacWest regular season championship, and claiming their first PacWest Tournament championship title. After winning the West Region, the Sea Lions made their second-ever trip to the College World Series—with Nathan by their side every step of the journey.
“It makes me feel happy because they are all so nice to me and make me feel like I am part of the team,” Nathan said, reflecting on his first season as a Sea Lion. “My favorite memory is just being with them.”
Since joining the team, Nathan has found a new love of baseball and a whole team full of guys he looks up to. Gloria loves being able to watch her grandson blossom with his new teammates. “My favorite thing is just seeing Nathan’s face when he interacts with the team. This experience with Nathan and the Sea Lions has been amazing,” she said. “This group of young men and coaches is exemplary. They have welcomed Nathan into their team with open arms, and I will forever be grateful to Team IMPACT and PLNU for this wonderful opportunity.”
