NAMPA, Idaho – When Kyle Redford steps to the plate during batting practice, most people in attendance find their eyes drawn his way.

That type of audience is usually reserved for major league hitters like Aaron Judge, but the Northwest Nazarene senior just has that special ability to hit a baseball a long, long way.

"It sounds different and looks different when he hits," fellow senior Larsson Chapman said. "You are naturally drawn to it. It's the same on defense, he can naturally make plays and make them look easy because he is so athletic."

That athleticism has served Redford well in his four-year career at NNU.

Recruited as a shortstop, Redford made his debut in left field. He has played every position but center field, shortstop and catcher while wearing a Nighthawks jersey.

"The outfield was definitely the hardest to adjust to," Redford said. "With the infield, it is all pretty similar. The outfield is totally different. I enjoyed it, though, I enjoyed running after balls and throwing as hard as I could. Throwing guys out was fun."

It took Redford awhile to get settled out there, though. In his first collegiate start, he was put in left. He hadn't played outfield since he was 14. The first ball hit at him was a line drive that he took a step in on, only to watch the ball sail over his head.

Things have gotten much better since then.

He was the starting first baseman most of last year and will be locked into that spot again this year with some third base mixed in.

"It helps me on the offensive side of things, because I'm not having to worry about defense," he said. "That was what was tough sophomore year, constantly having to worry about my defense. I'd have to bring four different gloves to practice."

These days, he just grabs his first baseman's mitt and gets to work.

"He's a five-tool guy that truly can do it all," said Coltin Brink, who played three years with Redford and graduated in 2018. "He's fast, has a strong arm, can hit, defend and knows the game well. Most people have one or two strengths in their game, but Kyle is an all-around guy with many strengths."

Redford grew up in Meridian, Idaho, attending Meridian High. The son of a Friends Church pastor, he is the first in his family to not only play baseball, but not attend George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon.

His parents, sister, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins all attend or attended the Oregon school, but he is confident he made the right decision to come to NNU.

"NNU was a great fit for my situation," the engineering major said. "I was intrigued by the engineering program and I like being close to my parents."

Redford's career at NNU included the high of winning the GNAC title as a freshman to the low of finishing under .500 last season.

He has high hopes for this season with a new coaching staff and a strong nucleus returning from last year.

"We have kind of the same group of guys that we did last year, but I think a lot of them have matured," he said. "I think we'll make a run this year definitely."

NNU opens its season at 4 p.m. Thursday at Dixie State in St. George, Utah.