(Ann Arbor, Mich.) The Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) announced the season awards for baseball on Wednesday afternoon and several Cardinals were recognized for their efforts both on and off the field. Blaine Milheim (SR/Eaton Rapids, MI) and Grant Steinborn (JR/Flushing, MI) highlighted the Cardinals selections receiving first team all-conference honors. Steinborn was also named the WHAC Pitcher of the Year. Vann Acker (JR/Eaton Rapids, MI) and Justin Mercer (SR/Howell, MI) were named second team all-conference while Ethan Vosburg (SR/Climax, MI) and RJ Bortle (JR/Hartland, MI) received the Gold Glove at their respective positions.
Blaine Milheim has been a force to be reckoned with for all opposing teams throughout the season. The player of the year candidate is in the midst of a record breaking 34 game hit streak. Milheim lead the team and WHAC in batting average (.494), on base percentage (.579), runs scored (55), hits (78), stolen bases (33). Milheim became Concordia's all-time career hits leader earlier this season and currently totals 259. Milheim also received first team honors in 2018.
Grant Steinborn consistently showed his value to the Cardinals team with his versatility as a hitter, infielder and pitcher. Steinborn received first team honors as a pitcher and was also named the WHAC Pitcher of the Year. Steinborn appeared in 18 games and posted a mark of 8-1 overall. Steinborn led the team and WHAC with a 2.18 ERA and wins while limiting opposing team's batting average to .254.
Justin Mercer earned WHAC honors for the first time in his Cardinal career as a member of the second team as catcher. The senior set career marks in batting average (.299), on base percentage (.362), slugging percentage (.402), total bases (43). Mercer was steady behind the plate as well with a career best fielding percentage of .974, 204 putouts, and caught 77.4% of runners stealing. Mercer was second in the WHAC with five runners picked off.
In his first season with the Cardinals, Vann Acker assumed daily responsibilities at second base. The junior transfer from Alma recorded a batting average of .280, 44 hits, and 45 runs. Acker was also a perfect 21 for 21 on stolen basis. Acker was among the conference leaders in runs scored (45), doubles (12), walks (34), sac bunts (7), stolen bases (21). Defensively, Acker led the team and WHAC in assists with 117 and fielded 29 double plays which was second in the WHAC. Acker recorded a .958 fielding percentage.
The WHAC honors a player at each position that achieves the highest fielding percentage. Ethan Vosburg recorded 69 assists, 25 putouts, with a fielding percentage of .931. Vosburg appeared in 44 games for the Cardinals with 40 coming as starts at the primary position of third base. RJ Bortle had a breakout year for the Cardinals and his efforts in right field were recognized by the WHAC as well. Bortle did not record an error and had career high 52 putouts.
Gregory Barbuto (SR/Oakville, ON) was named Concordia's Champions of Character recipient. The WHAC recognizes a member from each participating institutions that embodies the WHAC and NAIA's core values of respect, integrity, sportsmanship, servant leadership, and responsibility.
Several Cardinals were named to the WHAC all-academic team for their efforts in the class room. The following Cardinals met the WHAC requirements of reaching junior academic status and have maintained a cumulative GPA of atleast a 3.25; Gregory Barbuto, RJ Bortle, Chris Lowe (JR/DeWitt, MI), Jimmy McKane (JR/Saint Johns, MI), Blaine Milheim, Preston Sherman (JR/Homer, MI), Cole Southworth (JR/Decatur, MI), Grant Steinborn, Ethan Vosburg.
