(May 6, 2008 - Ann Arbor, Mich.) -- With a pair of losses in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference playoffs, the 2008 season for the Concordia baseball team came to a close. Despite the defeats, this past season was one for the record books for the Cardinals as they posted a 27-22 overall record completing the first winning season since 1990 for the program and setting a new school record for victories in a season surpassing the 2006 total of 23.

For the season, Alex Hoover (Sr. - Shelbyville, Mich.) put his name into the Cardinal top ten in three different categories. For his efforts, Hoover earned Concordia's first ever WHAC Player of the Year Award.

Hoover finished with a .418 batting average, second only to Jay Biesenthal's 1985 mark of .420 and only one of two to eclipse the .400 mark. Hoover also finished with 46 runs batted in, second to Eric Cassidy's 47 in the 2005 season. Hoover tied the record held by current teammate Aaron Hacias (Jr. - Sterling Heights, Mich.) in bases on balls with 29. Hacias set the record last season.

Hacias himself was no stranger to making the top ten list offensively. The second baseman finished with a .378 batting average, which is fourth best all-time for a season. Hacias put his name in the record books in nine other offensive categories: at-bats (7th - 172), hits (4th - 65), runs scored (tied for 1st - 48), RBI (tied for 7th - 38), doubles (tied for 1st - 19), triples (tied for 4th - 3), home runs (tied for 7th - 5), bases on balls (tied for 8th - 24), and total bases (3rd - 105). Hacias also finished with 99 assists in the field, which tied him for sixth all-time. Hacias was selected recently as the WHAC's All-Conference Second Baseman.

Ben Sprague (Jr. - DeWitt, Mich.), transferred in from Lansing Community College, and manned the hot corner and the #2 spot in the lineup for much of the season and had a great debut season as a Cardinal.  Sprague finished second on the team in at-bats with 169, which puts him eighth all-time. Sprague reached the top ten in four other offensive categories as well: runs scored (7th - 39), RBI (tied for 7th with Hacias - 38), singles (tied for 7th - 42), and home runs (tied for 7th - 5). Sprague also served as the Cards closer for much of the season and his four saves on the year put him second all-time in that category. Sprague was awarded Honorable Mention All-Conference status by league coaches.

Not only did the three upperclassmen leave their mark this season, but two sophomores staked their claim as well.

Tony Pounders (So. - Livonia, Mich.) scored 36 runs this season with is ninth all-time and his three triples has him tied for fourth all-time. Pounders continued to show his great talent as a shortstop as he finished with 143 assists, second all-time. His two-year total of 261 assists is currently third all-time for a career, needing only 31 to move into second and 116 to claim the top spot next season. With his defensive abilities well-known league-wide, Pounders much improved offense helped him earn an All-Conference Honorable Mention award last week.

Zane Johnston (So. - Ionia, Mich.) established himself as someone who will work the count and draw walks and when he reaches in a threat to take the next base. Johnston walked 23 times this season which is tenth all-time and his 15 stolen bases is fourth all-time.

Concordia showed that most success on the diamond is based heavily on the ability of the pitching staff as several hurlers put their names in the record books.

Justin Gauthier (Sr. - Muskegon, Mich.), an All-Conference selection for the Cards, had a spectacular season finishing with a school record 7 wins, surpassing the record of four held by many and most recently accomplished by teammate Drew Linder (Sr. - Bellevue, Ohio) last season.

Gauthier finished 7-2 on the season and his 2.92 earned run average is second all-time while his 74.0 innings pitched also is runner-up in that category. It was the first time a Cardinal pitcher had more than 70-innings pitched in five seasons. Gauthier broke into the top ten as well in saves with two (9th) and strikeouts with 43 (second).

Linder was no slouch himself as he built upon a strong junior campaign with an even better senior season. Linder finished with four wins to put his name twice in the now third spot all-time. The tall right-hander's 3.66 ERA put him fifth all-time and gave Concordia two pitchers with a sub-4.00 ERA in the same season for the first time ever. Pitchers must throw at least 30 innings to be factored into the top ten in earned run average.

Two other pitchers did well on the hill for the Cardinals as Brent McNeil (So. - Springboro, Ohio) finished eighth in ERA at 4.21 while picking up a save as well to tie for 10th.

Brad Roettger (Fr. - Sterling Heights, Mich.) had a solid rookie campaign as his five wins would have broke the school record for victories had it not been for Gauthier's seven. Nonetheless, Roettger holds the number two spot for wins in a season.

Two Cardinals registered their names on the defensive ledger as well as Adam Goodwin (Jr. - Portland, Mich.) played primarily first base and designated hitter, but also picked up innings late behind the plate. Goodwin finished with 198 total putouts on the season and is eighth in that category for a season.

Zach Johnston (So. - Ionia, Mich.) became only the third Cardinal to finish the season with a perfect fielding percentage, and he is the first non-first baseman ever to do so. The outfielder finished with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 71 chances.

The record book wasn't reserved for the players as head coach Karl Kling became the all-time leader in wins in the third game of the season. With that victory, Kling passed Chuck Boerger (1982-89), who in eight seasons won 76 games. In just his fifth season, Kling would finish with 101 wins - not only being the all-time leader but being the first to win 100+ games.

With 101 victories over the past five years, Kling has set a new standard at Concordia. In the history of the program, the previous high-water mark for victories in a five year period was from 1986 through 1990 when the team won 62 games - nearly 40 wins less than the past five seasons.

The last four seasons rank as four of the top five in program history in regard to victories - setting the school record twice (23 in 2006, 27 this season) with the team making the playoffs three of the last four seasons (the only three playoff appearances ever).

With the departure of five seniors, the 2008 Concordia Cardinals will be returning the vast majority of their team in 2009. The record books will be in jeopardy again next season.