(Ann Arbor, MI) After Concordia reinstated their membership into the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in 2017, the Cardinals enjoyed a successful year in all sports which carried over into 2018-2019. The Cardinal Baseball team continued their recent success as they went on to win the NCCAA World Series and now several Cardinals have been honored with NCCAA Awards at the conclusion of the season.
Leading off the awards for Concordia is the NCCAA National Coach of the Year, Zach Johnston. Johnston managed the Cardinals for his fifth season in 2019, and helped the Cards reach new heights, culminating at the NCCAA World Series. With 39 total wins, Johnston helped Concordia reach the second most wins in program history and his past four teams hold the top four spots in wins in the record books. Johnston now holds the program lead in wins as a manager with 168.
Concordia also took home the NCCAA Player of the Year Award as Senior standout Blaine Milheim was given the honors. Milheim had an all-around dominant year at the plate, and finished the season strong at the NCCAA Tournament with 6 hits, 8 runs, 5 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases through six games.
Joining Milheim on the NCCAA First Team is Junior Grant Steinborn. After being named to last year's All-Tournament team, Steinborn was recognized for his effectiveness on the mound and at the plate in 2019. Grant earned 9 wins while toeing the rubber this season and maintained a 2.63 Earned Run Average while striking out 39 batters.
Jacob Clark rounds out the NCCAA All-American Award winners as the pitcher was given third team honors. Clark pitched in 11 games for Concordia and kept a 2.87 Earned Run Average while punching out 42 batters.
Billy Blair was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player for his performance on the mound during the World Series and he was joined by fellow pitcher Jimmy McKane on the All-Tournament Team who closed out the World Series for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals also had 7 representitives on the NCCAA Midwest All-Region team highlighted with Johnston earning the Midwest Region Coach of the Year, Milheim earning the Midwest Region Player of the Year, and Steinborn earning the Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year. Junior Chris Lowe earned a spot on the Midwest All-Region Team as an infielder, senior Justin Mercer earned a spot as a catcher and Clark and Tyson Kleinfelter earned spots as pitchers.
Lastly, eight Cardinals were recognized for their efforts in the classroom by receiving NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors. Greg Barbuto, Billy Blair, RJ Bortle, Chris Lowe, Jimmy McKane, Preston Sherman, Cole Southworth, and Grant Steinborn all were given the award for their success on the diamond and in the classroom.
