(May 13, 2008 - Ann Arbor, Mich.) -- In previous seasons the Concordia baseball team would be fortunate to have a player named to the All-Region team. After completing the most successful season in the history of the program, the 2008 squad had four players earn honors at the Regional level. Seniors Alex Hoover (Sr. - Shelbyville, Mich.) and Justin Gauthier (Sr. - Muskegon, Mich.) were joined by junior Aaron Hacias (Jr. - Sterling Heights, Mich.) on the All-Region team, while Tony Pounders (So. - Livonia, Mich.) was named the Gold Glove winner at the shortstop position for the Region.

Hoover finished his career in the top 10 in numerous categories and ends as the all-time leader in career walks (75) and career putouts (515). This season, Hoover batted .418, second best all-time in Cardinal history and only one of two players who hit over .400 for a year; while also knocking 46 runs (second best ever), with 29 walks (tied for school record). For his efforts, Hoover was named Co-Player of the Year this past season, the first ever Cardinal to earn the honor.

Gauthier also had a strong finish to his career as he leaves as the all-time saves leader while being in the top ten in several career pitching categories. This past season was particularly special for Gauthier as he finished the year second all-time for lowest earned run average in a season (2.92) with the second most innings pitched (74.0) and the second most strikeouts (43). But it was his win total that separated him from the pack as he broke the school record for wins in a season as he finished with seven on the year.

For Hacias, he has staked a serious claim to one of the early favorites for the Player of the Year award next season. Nearly every offensive career category will feature Hacias' name when all is said and done next year. This year, Hacias finished with fourth highest batting average ever at .378 while his 19 doubles and 48 runs scored tied school records. Hacias also finished in the top ten in at-bats, hits, RBI, triples, home runs, walks and total bases.

For the second consecutive season, Pounders was the conference's best fielding shortstop as he won the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Gold Glove in both of his first two years. This year, Pounders upped the stakes by taking the Regional honor. In the regular season, Pounders made only six errors in the Cardinal's 47 games played. He finished with a .952 fielding percentage overall on the year.