ST. PAUL, Minn. – Concordia-St. Paul head baseball coach Mark "Lunch" McKenzie has announced seven commitments to the Golden Bear baseball program for the 2015-16 academic year and the 2016 baseball season.

"This is one of the most exciting recruiting classes we have ever had," said McKenzie, now in his 16th year leading the program. "With three pitchers, two catchers and two middle infielders we feel we have bolstered the roster tremendously. The fact that all seven of these players are outstanding students and quality young men only makes this class more exciting."

While the recruiting class features seven players, the options are expanded with the abilities of the players, as McKenzie noted, "With the versatility of Tom Austin who can catch and play infield and Ben Suits being a two-way guy as a pitcher and corner infielder only increases the roster depth and strength. With the athleticism of Isaac, Kyle and Jeff we feel they can also contribute in several different areas. Gus and Colton's additions offer us the prospect of more quality innings on the bump and as (former Minnesota Twins manager) Tom Kelly told me years ago, 'Ya gotta have that pitching no matter what level you're competing at.'"
 

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.	Hometown	High School
Tom Austin	C/1B/3B	6-0	185	Fr.	Palatine, Ill.	Fremd HS
Isaac Hormann	SS	5-10	165	Fr.	Young America, Minn.	Central HS
Kyle Horstmann	SS	5-11	172	Fr.	Eden Prairie, Minn.	Holy Family HS
Jeffrey Kressler	C	5-9	180	Fr.	Chanhassen, Minn.	Chanhassen HS
Colton Mueller	RHP	6-0	165	Fr.	Chisago City, Minn.	Chisago Lakes HS
Ben Suits	RHP/1B/3B	6-5	190	Fr.	Robbinsdale, Minn.	Heritage Christian Academy
Gus Varland	RHP	6-0	170	Fr.	Maplewood, Minn.	North St. Paul HS

Tom Austin (C/1B/3B, 6-0, 185, Fr., Palatine, Ill. / Fremd HS)
Fremd High School: Starting first baseman for the 16-16 varsity squad, earning a pair of letters.

Personal: Born September 30, 1996 … son of Bob and Lori Austin … has three younger brothers, Matt, Nick and Jake … is interested in a criminal justice major and math minor at Concordia … aspires for a career as a police detective.

McKenzie on Austin: "Tom is a great student and versatile athlete. He'll compete for playing time behind the plate and in the infield. With the additions of Tom and Jeff (Kressler), our program will have the most catching depth we've ever had since CSP's move to NCAA Division II for the 2000 baseball season. Our coaching staff is excited that Tom has chosen to attend Concordia University, St. Paul."

Isaac Hormann (SS, 5-10, 165, Fr., Young America, Minn. / Central HS)
Central High School: Has earned four letters in baseball and football along with two more in basketball in the fall of senior year … a three-time All-MRC Conference selection in baseball (2012, 13, 14) and two-time MRC Most Valuable Player (2013 Co-MVP, 2014) … helped the Raiders to a section football championship as a senior after section runner-up finishes in 2011 and 2013 … was an All-MRC honorable mention pick in 2013 and earned All-MRC Conference honors in 2014 on the football field … also involved in National Honor Society, band and PEERS.

Personal: Born March 26, 1997 … son of Duane and Karla Hormann … has a younger brother, Caleb … is undecided on a future field of study at Concordia.

McKenzie on Hormann: "In addition to playing shortstop at Norwood Young America, Isaac is the quarterback of the football team and recently led his team to the State High School Tournament. He also returned punts for the football team, showing his all-around athleticism. We are very excited that Isaac is a member of this fall recruiting class and that he decided to become a Golden Bear baseball player."

Kyle Horstmann (SS, 5-11, 172, Fr., Eden Prairie, Minn. / Holy Family Catholic HS)
Holy Family Catholic High School: A .324 hitter, helped the Fire to a 14-9 record last season while earning All-Wright County Conference honorable mention honors … also an Honor Roll student.

Personal: Born June 9, 1997 … son of Jim and Marylee Horstmann … has an older sister, Katie … is interested in a business major with the possibility of a career in accounting … his mother, Marylee played tennis at the University of Houston (1982-86).

McKenzie on Horstmann: "Kyle has primarily played shortstop for his high school and summer ball teams. We feel that he is versatile and we look for him to add depth to the team in many ways. Kyle works hard at his game and he is another quality student. Kyle will be a great addition to the CSP baseball program."

Jeffrey Kressler (C, 5-9, 180, Fr., Chanhassen, Minn. / Chanhassen HS)
Chanhassen High School: Has earned a pair of baseball letters for the Storm while also securing a letter as a cross country runner earlier in his prep athletics career … also involved for two years in Courage Retreat and as a volunteer with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC).

Personal: Born February 5, 1997 … son of David and Elizabeth Kressler … has an older sister, Olivia … has shown an interest in sport management and education for an academic path at Concordia.

McKenzie on Kressler: "Jeff adds immediate depth to our catching corps. He has a bulldog approach to the game and coaches describe him as a grinder. He's a good student and he fits the mold of the person we are looking for at Concordia. We are excited that Jeff has chosen to become a Golden Bear baseball player."

Colton Mueller (RHP, 6-0, 165, Fr., Chisago City, Minn. / Chisago Lakes HS)
Chisago Lakes High School: A three-sport athlete, earning letters in baseball, football and weightlifting while competing in the Mississippi 8 Conference.

Personal: Born April 4, 1996 … son of Gary and Carrie Mueller … has a younger sister, Brooke … is undecided on future academic interests at Concordia.

McKenzie on Mueller: "Colton is a strike thrower and comes from Chisago Lakes High School where he played with current Golden Bear right hander Hunter Lindstrom. Colton is a hard worker and will add depth to the pitching staff. He brings a positive attitude and we are pleased that he has decided to come to CSP to further his education and pitch for the Golden Bears."

Ben Suits (RHP/1B/3B, 6-5, 190, Fr., Robbinsdale, Minn. / Heritage Christian Academy)
Heritage Christian Academy: Went from a .250 hitter while earning a letter in 2012 as a freshman to .333 as a sophomore All-MCAA Conference performer in leading the Eagles to a section runner-up finish to his breakout junior year in 2014 as he hit .500 to earn All-Section, All-Area and All-MCAA honors for a second-straight section runner-up finish … he also earned team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors and he was named the top pitcher for the Minnesota Blizzard … also competes in basketball for the Eagles.

Personal: Born June 5, 1997 … son of David and Ann Suits … has a younger sister, Sarah … is interested in a dual degree in engineering and aspires for a career as a civil engineer … his mother, Ann Suits ran track at Concordia College as a four-time All-American in the 400 meter.

McKenzie on Suits: "Ben is a member of the Minnesota Blizzard summer and fall teams and brings in a 4.26 grade point average and scored a 33 on his ACT. He plans on majoring in engineering and earning dual degrees from Concordia and the University of Minnesota while playing baseball for the Golden Bears. He brings in a competitive attitude and will be a great fit in our program."

Gus Varland (RHP, 6-0, 170, Fr., Maplewood, Minn. / North St. Paul HS)
North St. Paul High School: Has earned letters every season since his 2012 freshman campaign along with academic letters from 2011 to present … has earned All-Suburban Conference honors and All-District honors as a junior for the Polars … during his junior season in American Legion baseball, posted a 7-1 record with a 0.87 earned run average over 56.1 innings … struck out 66 with a 3.14 strikeout-walk ratio … posted a 1.15 WHIP, allowing just 44 hits and 21 walks … also involved in National Honor Society and four years of A-Honor Roll.

Personal: Born November 6, 1996 … son of Wade and Kim Varland … has a younger brother, Louie and a younger sister, Georgi … will major in engineering with a minor in education … aspires to attend graduate school for engineering after Concordia … his aunt, Denise Varland played softball at Concordia-St. Paul and University of Minnesota as a pitcher and shortstop (1989-92).

McKenzie on Varland: "Gus is the third North St. Paul player to sign with us over the past two years. He's an excellent student and a quality young man. He is a strike thrower with a fastball that sits in the mid-80's. We are excited to have Gus on board and look forward to watching him develop over the next four-plus years."

About Concordia baseball
The seven Concordia recruits join a Golden Bear baseball program that has registered fifth and fourth place finishes in the strong 15-team NSIC over the last two years. Under McKenzie, Concordia has won at a .550-plus clip in NSIC play since the program joined the league and Division II in McKenzie's first year in 2000. The program is coming off a school record 20 NSIC wins and the 28 overall wins last year were fifth most in program history, the other four seasons all coming under McKenzie's coaching.