(July 16, 2008 - Ann Arbor, Mich.) -- An already impressive recruiting class became even stronger as head coach Karl Kling signed seven players to National Letters of Intent over the last few weeks. Kling added a trio of pitchers, a pair of corner guys, an outfielder and a versatile utility player to the team that was only losing one outfielder and two impact pitchers from last year's team that finished with the best record in Cardinal history. The signees join the four players signed earlier, with more players looking to officially join the program over the next few weeks.

The key to any program begins with the pitching staff, and after signing Shawn Barnes of Hudsonville earlier this year, Kling added more depth with the additions of William Kohls of Jackson Community College, Matthew St. Kitts of Ontario Prospects and Nick Rober, a former member of the state champion Ann Arbor Pioneer team who will be transferring in from Central Michigan University.

Kohls finished a two-year career at Jackson with a 4.14 earned run average with 29 strikeouts and 19 walks in 50 innings of work. Last season, Kohls was 1-2 for JCC with a 3.44 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched.

"Billy is going to be someone that I think will establish himself well in the conference," Kling said. "We had to replace two very solid performers for us last, and I think Billy will build upon what Drew Linder and Justin Gauthier provided for us. Billy reminds me of both of them when we signed them out of their respective junior colleges."

St. Kitts is  6'1 right-hander from one of Canada''s premier summer programs in the Prospects, an organization run by former major leaguerers Rich and Rob Butler and Paul Spoljaric.

"Matthew came out and pitched for Coach Harrison earlier this summer, and I'll just say that Coach is chomping at the bit to get working with Matthew," Kling said. St. Kitts is already in the upper 80s and with some growth and maturity, he could be the type of pitcher that no one wants to face.

Rober will be a dark-horse for the program as he is looking to get back into competitive college baseball after a yuear with CMU's club team following a year at Siena Heights University.

"Nick comes from one of high school's best programs in Pioneer, and we are very excited to have him with our program so that he can demonstrate his pitching abilities and help fortify our staff," Kling said. Rober will also spend time in the outfield, but projects to contribute more on the mound early.

Coming over from Henry Ford Community College to help build depth in the outfield is Kenny Warren, who is a career .250 hitter at the junior college level.

"Kenny is a quality player and a tremendous teammate who will be fighting for a starting position and will only lift the level of play out there as we will have numerous options for us to choose from," Kling said.

Another transfer may be the wild card the Cards are looking for as Jeff Bultinck moves to Concordia after one year at Macomb Community College, as he season last year was washed out due to injury.

"Jeff is a solid player, who we think is All-American caliber," Kling said. "He can swing it and is versatile as he can play any of the infield positions and even some outfield if need be."

Bultinck finished his freshman season in 2006 with a .366 batting average with 24 RBI and 10 doubles.

Two young players will be joining the squad to man the corner positions in the infield and Kling said both will be looked upon to develop this season and push for a starting position in the very near future.

Brian Lobkovich comes over to Concordia after graduating from Dearborn Divine Child. Lobkovich plays for the Redford Rebels and has demonstrated the core instincts Kling looks for in young players who will use the time early to develop into something in the future.

"Brian will come in with a lot of drive and determination to show people what he can do on the baseball diamond," Kling said. "I love his passion and character, and I think a lot of people will be surprised at how quickly he develops and begins to contribute."

On the other side of the diamond will be Joe Berklich of Dexter High School. Berklich, who played first and pitched for the Dreadnaughts will focus more on his positional play at Concordia.

"His swing is so smooth from the left-side that I can see him making a serious mark on the program in very little time," Kling. "Like many of the kids we are bringing in, you won't find a greater person, who comes from a tremendous family and is a hard-worker."

The program is looking to announce additional signings soon as the team looks to be chock-full of talent all over the diamond in 2009.

"I am so excited about the coming season, and I know the kids are as well," Kling said. "I have heard from more players this summer than any year prior, we left some things on the table last year and they are focused to win a banner in 2009. We will have a lot of talent on the mound, with guys who can flat out play defensively. Our offense will be even stronger next year. We'll have to temper our excitement, but it will be hard to do."