(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia baseball is preparing to embark on their 2025 campaign after last year's third straight 40+ win season and yet another NCCAA World Series Appearance. The Cardinals are coming off a 41-16 record and their fifth NCCAA World Series appearance. Head coach Zach Johnston, who took home the NCCAA Midwest Coach of the Year honors last year, enters his 11th year in charge of the program, returning 38 players and adding 2 newcomers. CUAA returns an impressive amount of their roster, with 7 of their top 8 position players in "games played" coming back along with 8 of their top 11 pitchers in "innings pitched" donning the Cardinal uniform this season.
2024 Season Review
Concordia went 41-16 overall with a 24-7 WHAC record last year. The Cardinals battled back and forth all season for the regular season WHAC Championship, but found themselves one game short at the end of the year. The Cardinals fell in the Conference Tournament, but earned the right to host the NCCAA Midwest Tournament in Ann Arbor.
They were able to take down NCAA D2 Cedarville in sweep fashion after an incredible comeback in game one to clinch their bid to the NCCAA World Series. Upon arrival, the Cardinals had a bye game and then started off the World Series with a win against College of the Ozarks. The Cardinals then fell in back-to-back close games to close yet another historic season.
2024 saw a number of Cardinals receive honors after their season. Drew Fleming was named an NAIA First Team All-American, following up his 2023 Second Team All American year. He was also named back-to-back WHAC Conference Player of the Year. Drew Fleming, Logan Hylek, and Dave Rozmys were named First Team All-Conference, while Josh Burke was named to the Second Team. In the NCCAA, Drew Fleming was named the National Player of the Year, with himself, Kenneth (Dave) Rozmys, Josh Burke, and Logan Hylek named All-Americans. Tyler Wressel was also named to the Midwest All-Region team. The CSC teams were later announced with Drew Fleming receiving his third All-American award of the year, along with Trey Acker, Justin Kozlowski, Tyler Lawson, and Harrison Ryan named to the All-District teams.
2025 Schedule Outlook
The Cardinals will open their season picked to finish third in the WHAC this season, behind reigning Conference Champions UNOH and Tournament Champions Indiana Tech.
Concordia will start the season in Georgia and South Carolina with three neutral-site games against IUPUC before playing Toccoa Falls on Monday. They then will head to Olivet Nazarene for a four game series to close the month.
In March, the team travels to Goshen for a doubleheader on the 4th. Concordia will stay on the road to Rio Grande for a 3-game series. They then host their first home games with a double header against Goshen on March 11th. WHAC play starts on March 15 with a doubleheader against rival UNOH. The Cardinals then host twelve straight home games to close the month, with matchups against UMD, Siena Heights, Lourdes, Cornerstone, and rival Madonna.
April starts with six more home games against Grace Christian, Cleary, and Defiance. They then hit the road for six more games at Aquinas, Defiance, and Rochester Christian. The Cardinals will close their WHAC season with a home-and-home series with Indiana Tech before heading to Jimmy John's Field to matchup with Lawrence Tech on April 27th.
Concordia Personnel
Seniors: For the position players; Logan Hylek returns after he was named an NCCAA All-American with a .380 AVG, 47 RBI's and 78 hits. Josh Burke returns and was also an NCCAA All-American with a .520 SLG, 8 HRs, and 61 hits. Tyler Wressel was named to the NCCAA Midwest Regional Team after hitting .330 with a .525 SLG and 38 RBI's. Justin Kozlowski was named CSC All-District with a .327 AVG, 5 HR's, and 13 XBHs. Harrison Ryan was also All-District with a .426 OBP, 1.000 FPCT, and 27 BBs. Jake Kuhlman hit .309 with 33 SBs and 55 hits after playing in every game for the Cardinals. Tyler Lawson found himself on the All-District Team after hitting .267 with 20 SBs and a .400 OBP. All 7 of these Cardinals played in at least 54 of their 57 games last season. Kyle Hebner, a former All Conference performer, added 14 hits and 15 RBI. Clayton McKinstry played in 39 games for the Cardinals with an impressive 1.000 FPCT. Alex Cyzewski added 6 XBH with a .429 OBP. Derek Hebner appeared in 10 games last year. Ryan Kotecki had 7 runs. Ben Steele adds depth in the infield. Alex Piotrowski looks to make an impact in the outfield.
For the pitchers; Dave Rozmys returns after taking home NCCAA Midwest Pitcher of the Year and First Team All Conference Honors with 22 appearances, 6 wins, 5 saves, and a 1.25 ERA. Bryon Mane led CUAA with 60.1 IP and an impressive 7 Wins. Kyle Winslow added 34.1 IP with 35 Strikeouts. Ethan Pollard had 30.2 IP and started in 10 games. Blake Weaver appeared in 18 games for CUAA, compiling 30.2 IP, 2 SVs, and 26 strikeouts. Drew Murphy had 23.1 IP with 3 Wins and 11 appearances. Ryan VanSlambrouck saw 2 appearances last year before a season ending injury. Logan Morris had 8.0 IP with 5 strikeouts. Marcus Bugeja, Ryan Dixon, Landen Harris, and Brad Oltersdorf look to provide pitching depth.
Juniors: Trey Acker, who was named a member of the 2024 CSC All-District Team, had 44.2 IP, hoisted a 6-0 record, and appeared in 17 games. Evan Jasiak, a former All-Conference reliever, posted a 2-0 record with 20 strikeouts in 21.0 IP. Garrett Williams is back after seeing his first hit in a Cardinal uniform last season and adding 3 RBI's. Carter Richardson returns to the field looking to provide depth in the outfield.
Underclassmen: Matthew Dubrick, Kolton Horn, Zach Mathews, Darren Pagel, Ty Schornak, and Gus Simon all return for the Cardinals this season.
Newcomers: The Cardinals have added 2 newcomers this season. A freshman catcher from Holland, MI Brenston Brown and a freshman outfielder from New Baltimore, MI Drew Schornak.
Head coach Zach Johnston is joined by assistants Tom Johnston, Tyson Kleinfelter, Jimmy Wressel. Matt Hunt, Cam Ciaciuch, Gabe Farr, Drew Fleming, Logan Fleming, Caleb Harmond, and Jake Ryan.
