Posted by Karl Kling - Wed, Jun 17, 2009 - [Baseball]
New Card William Tidwell and Concordia Coach Karl Kling
(June 17, 2009 - Ann Arbor, Mich.) -- The Concordia baseball program was looking to add some more talent and depth in the infield and quality on the mound and the Cardinals have accomplished that with the signing of four players to Letters of Intent. Joining the program in the fall are Kevin Connors of Tecumseh, who is transferring from Jackson Community College; Derek Knuth of St. Joseph by way of Lake Michigan College; Aaron Shook of Parchment, who is transferring from Kellogg Community College; and William Tidwell of Canton, who spent a season at Hillsdale College.
Tidwell, a right-handed pitcher, had a stellar high school career as a three-sport athlete for the Chiefs of Canton High School. His senior season, Tidwell was the Male-Scholar Athlete of the Year as well as receiving the Scholar Athlete Award from the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Not only was Tidwell All-Division for baseball in the spring of 2008, he was bestowed the honor for football the previous fall. Tidwell earned academic honors from the Western Lakes Athletic Association from three sports his senior season: football, basketball and baseball.
Tidwell, who was All-District for baseball, was the Canton MVP as a senior and All-Observer 1st Team. Tidwell spent his freshman season on the mound for the Chargers of Hillsdale College where he finished the season with the squad's lowest earned run average at 3.43 with a record of 2-2 in 10 appearances. Tidwell only surrendered a dozen hits in his 21 innings of work last season.
"William will be looked upon to help fortify our pitching staff this coming season and beyond," said Concordia head coach Karl Kling. "He comes from a solid baseball family and with his character and demeanor should be a leader on our team and hopefully flourish on the hill for us."
Another pitcher in the group is Shook, who after a year at Lake Michigan College as a freshman transferred to Kellogg Community College before sitting out his sophomore season to place his focus on academics. The year off doesn't concern Kling as he recruited Shook out of high school and knows fully what the right-hander is capable of.
"Aaron is a quality baseball player, who could also see some time positionally for us, although our primary focus will be as a pitcher," he said.
As an Indian in 2008, Shook lead Lake Michigan in wins with five on the season as he finished 5-4 with 49.2 innings worked on the mound.
Joining Shook is former teammate Derek Knuth, a middle infielder who spent the last two seasons at Lake Michigan. After hitting .257 as a freshmen, Knuth improved to a very good .345 average as a sophomore with 11 runs batted in and six steals. With a lengthy 6'1 frame, Knuth will be looked upon to strengthen an already strong Concordia infield.
"Deke, as he likes to be called, is a steady defensive player as he committed only five errors last season," Kling said. "With gold-glovers at short in Tony Pounders and third in Frank Persichino, our infield defense will be very strong."
Joining Knuth in the infield will be Kevin Connors who is coming to Concordia from Jackson Community College. Connors can play both second base and first base, as well as being a designated hitter candidate.
Connors hit .346 for the Jets last season with 14 RBI with four stolen bases.
"What Kevin gives us is flexibility and depth all around the infield," Kling said. "With Deke and Kevin added to the pile of Pounders, Persichino, (Jeff) Bultinck and (Matt) Hunt - we have quality all-around and options to play with at all four infield positions. It can also allow us to continue to look at Hunt in the outfield as well as on the mound next season."
The program currently has 45 players signed and/or returning for next fall with the emphasis the rest of the summer being one or two outfielders, a couple more pitchers and shoring up the catcher position.
"We are very excited about the coming season as we continue to raise the level of play and expectations," Kling said. "The players have their eyes set on a conference championship and we have done everything we can this spring and summer to bring in the players that will help us reach that goal."