ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia-St. Paul baseball team is set to open up the 2017 season this Monday as they play their first ever games at US Bank Stadium in a doubleheader against #17 St. Cloud State with first pitch scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
 
ST. CLOUD STATE DOUBLEHEADER INFORMATION
The Golden Bears will be one of the first programs to take part in baseball at US Bank Stadium after the Minnesota Golden Gophers played the inaugural contest on Friday. All fans will enter at the Lower Pentair gate (off South 6th Street). NO ENTRANCE VIA SKYWAY. Fans will then proceed to sit in sections 126 – 130. Tickets are $5 at the door (children 2 & under are free), both cash and credit are accepted. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the day's first game. Outside food and drink is prohibited and will not be allowed in the stadium. Vending machines will be available for food and drink. Reentry will not be allowed. Free public Wi-Fi is available at the stadium.
 
Live stats will be available at cspbears.com/livebase and live video will be available at cspbears.com/watch.
 
RECENT SUCCESS LEADS TO CONSISTENT FUTURE
The Golden Bear baseball program has been on the rise for the past four seasons, posting top-six finishes in the Northern Sun which culminated in a run to the NSIC Tournament championship game, finishing as league runner-up a year ago.
 
The four year run resulted in a 99-68 (.593) overall record and 72-43 (.626) conference record. Over the last three years, Concordia has set the program record for most wins in league play, winning 20 NSIC games each in 2014 & 2016 and 19 in 2015.
 
A core group of players were instrumental in building that success as the program will enter 2017 without three everyday players, two starting pitchers and two key late inning relievers along with a solid platoon backstop.
 
The biggest factor in 18th year head coach Mark "Lunch" McKenzie taking the program to the next level over the last four years was placing a stronger emphasis on pitching and defense. With a background as a top hitting clinician in the sport, McKenzie's Golden Bears have always had strong, deep lineups which has brought the program success before.
 
But in looking to bring the program into the upper echelon of the Northern Sun on a consistent basis, McKenzie took advice from longtime friend and mentor Tom Kelly, two-time World Series champion manager of the Minnesota Twins (1987 & 1991).
 
"'TK' really stressed the importance of pitching and defense to me," recalls McKenzie. "To sum it up, he basically said, 'I know you've won a few times in the past and you've always had good hitting, but you've gotta have that pitching and have guys that are going to protect your pitchers. If you don't have that, you can win games but you won't win championships.' So we stressed that in recruiting guys like Zach Rengel and all of the pitchers who've been throwing for us the past few years, but it was also guys like Eric Fasnacht, Alex LaPorte and Ryan Poppitz who helped by saving more runs with their gloves so we didn't have to score as many."
 
But what excites McKenzie the most about the state of the program is how he's been able to go about implementing these changes for a long term basis and how CSP's institutional growth has sparked it.
 
"Part of it in the past was recruiting, it was more difficult to get the sheer number of top-line pitchers. We always had a couple of those top of the rotation guys but the elite teams just kept running those guys out there. So while our goal was to replicate that, what has helped along with our emphasis in recruiting has been institutional changes like the tuition reset, expansion of academic offerings that are relevant to what top recruits were seeking and being part of a campus that's thriving – it's been contagious and it's worked well for our team."
 
The key to the 2017 team will be maintaining consistent levels of pitching and defense from past seasons while packing more punch in the lineup.
 
"We'd like to think going into it that this year we have this thing more well-rounded and for whatever reason we were able to sign nine more pitchers during the fall period for next year. So we keep adding quality kids, students and pitchers and it's exciting. They really want to be a part of what we've got going on here!"
 
PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS
The result of the disciplined approach by McKenzie and his staff has turned heads as the program was tabbed fourth in the 2017 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
"It's fun to be recognized, but our goal is to just stay consistent. We don't get caught up in those preseason picks whether it's the NSIC or the preseason region polls. People are aware of the fact that we were young last year even though we graduated a solid core group of guys. We just want to go out and play hard every day and see what happens. We're excited, and like how our guys go about their business. From there, we'll see if we can stay out of their way and just let them win."
 
THE NORTHERN SUN LANDSCAPE
While the staff remains grounded and more concerned about day-to-day baseball business which is echoed by how the players conduct themselves on campus and in practice, the NSIC poll does provide a hefty barometer of just how far the program has come the past few years.
 
The Northern Sun has become a contender on a national level in baseball with multiple programs annually featured prominently in Division II's Top-25 rankings, and sending programs deep into the Division II Championships multiple times in recent years.
 
"Well, looking around the conference from a larger lens at all sports if it's not the best Division II conference, then it's certainly one of the top two or three," said McKenzie who is also in his first year as director of athletics at Concordia. "And in this league in baseball there's no one you can take lightly because every team thinks they can beat anybody, and if you think you can just stroll on the field and beat someone because they have a lesser record that's foolish because it'll jump up and bite you."
 
The conference schedule is also unique in the league that's situated in the Upper Midwest as NCAA Division II spring sports can officially play games by early February, and many warmer weather conferences will be playing conference games in the month of February, spacing out their league competitions at a slower pace.
 
"In the NSIC we play 38 games in six weeks, so part of it is taking care of your body and being ready to go. Be ready for that team in the other dugout because they're going to try to beat you every day and take it personally. We compete and have a short memory because if you get ahead of yourself in this conference, you'll find yourself behind really quickly. Every team has 'guys' and they all want to win."
 
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The Golden Bears will not have to wait to be tested in 2017, opening up at US Bank Stadium on Monday, February 27 with a doubleheader against St. Cloud State, ranked #17 in the Collegiate Baseball News Division II Preseason Coaches' Poll. In fact, Concordia's first three games will be against nationally-ranked teams as its first opponent in Tucson, Arizona will be Azusa Pacific (Calif.), ranked eighth in the NCBWA Division II Top-25 compiled by baseball sports information directors. SCSU is ranked #15 in the latest NCBWA poll, as well.
 
"Playing against some of the big guys right out of the chute is a great barometer for us to see where we stand and ultimately will help with our strength of schedule in the long run," said McKenzie.
 
Concordia will play 12 games in the non-conference with six contests (three dates) at US Bank Stadium and six more in Tucson, Arizona on an efficient spring trip.
 
"Playing in US Bank Stadium is a fabulous opportunity for the kids. We'll be one of the first to play in there which is exciting.  It's great for parents, fans and students to come to an incredible venue like US Bank Stadium. But above that, it's just great to have that ability back after losing the Metrodome the last few years, just for our players to play some games in the area allowing our supporters to watch us early in the year is going to be an added benefit."
 
The Arizona trip's six games feature five Division II opponents, making for an impactful albeit abbreviated getaway for the club, who departs March 1 and returns March 6. Aside from west coast power Azusa Pacific, Concordia will play three non-conference games against Northern State (9) and Southwest Minnesota State (DH, 7) and also take on DII member Malone (Ohio) with a game against NAIA Grand View mixed in.
 
"With some of the injuries we experienced in fall and in the offseason, some different guys will have an opportunity to play early in the year. Whether it's moving guys around to different positions to fill in some of those gaps, some spot on the field and in the lineup will open up and with the depth we have on this roster that's a good thing for us to see as a staff."
 
The remaining two dates in the non-conference feature single games at US Bank Stadium against Minot State and Wayne State and a doubleheader against Concordia-Moorhead a week before NSIC play opens against SMSU on March 18 at Barnes Field.
 
"We're not going to mess around with our pitching," said McKenzie. "Our goal is to start our guys and get them lined up in a rotation with the goal of being ready for SMSU on NSIC opening weekend. We want to be lined up and ready to face that grueling league schedule, even if it means being a little more unconventional in the non-conference approach – we'll need all of our pitchers to win throughout the season, so it makes sense to get right into that thinking early in the year."
 
LEADERSHIP ROLES
Concordia baseball has never designated official team captains, as McKenzie adheres to a philosophy of allowing those roles to emerge organically.
 
"This year it's a little different, it's a collective deal as we don't necessarily have a single guy or small group of guys leading. We have a bunch of quarterbacks and point guards – multi-sport leaders of their respective high schools, so what we see is a larger group of guys having fun doing what we're asking them to do. Really, it's just a matter of everyone taking care of their own garden. The 'shut up and play' mentality is strong in this clubhouse."
 
McKenzie elaborated on the team identity, "The overall attitude of the guys is really upbeat. We have a cohesive group, they're respectful and they have a good time. We'll see how it is once we get going but right now I really like atmosphere."
 
MEET THE BEARS: LINEUP & POSITION PLAYERS
The 2017 Golden Bears do not have as many roles etched in stone or even written as pen as has been the cast in past seasons and part of the reason this year has been a deeper platform of talent with a more diverse skillset from which to draw from.
 
"The lineup is going to be difficult to write, we'll have good players in role positions but that's also going to assist us in making late game moves if we need a pinch runner or need a lefty/righty matchup at the mound or in the batter's box. We also are on the mend with a few guys finishing up offseason injury recovery, and as those guys work their way back, having depth allows us flexibility to make sure those players are ready for NSIC play whether it's in the field, the rotation or bullpen."
 
Overall, McKenzie is excited about the overall balance along with the ability to make additional in-game moves. "It's a nice balance, we're pretty good all around and like our team in all aspects of the game. A number of guys are killing the ball, we have more speed than usual and it seems like we will be able to make some in-game moves we haven't had a lot of in the past."
 
MEET THE BEARS: CATCHERS
Concordia returns two-year starter and preseason All-American Third Team selection Connor Olson at the position. Coming off of an All-Region honorable mention and All-NSIC First Team season, Olson's career stats speak volumes as he enters the second half of his college baseball career a .361/.420/.615 hitter with 32 doubles, 17 home runs and 77 RBI. Last year, he slugged .754 with 21 doubles and 15 home runs, doubling his runs scored total (48) and also increasing his RBI by 13 (45) in just two more games than his freshman campaign.
 
As Olson eases his way into the 2017 and is expected to receive more starts as designated hitter, catcher duties will be split up by some combination of sophomores Carter Schmidt, Jeffrey Kressler and Tom Austin. Schmidt emerged as the team's everyday centerfielder in the second half of last season as he finished his first year hitting .308 with four home runs and a .529 slugging percentage.
 
"Schmidt is a solid athlete and brings a good bat to the position, while Kressler is ready to be a receiver in the Northern Sun and can throw and has shown improvement as a hitter," said McKenzie.
 
Last year, Austin received pinch hitting and spot starting duty because of his bat which could help him get in the lineup in 2017.
 
MEET THE BEARS: CORNER INFIELD
Incumbent starting first baseman Ben Suits spent his freshman season mashing, hitting .300/.388/.486 with six home runs and 29 RBI while backup Roch Whittaker was spending a majority of his freshman season battling through health and injury concerns. Whittaker was able to contribute down the stretch, slugging a home run while slashing .294/.368/.529 in 17 at bats.
 
At the outset, it appears that both players could be ticketed for the starting lineup as McKenzie has deployed Whittaker at third base during the fall practice season and sees value in both bats contributing.
 
"Suits hit in the middle of our lineup last season and certainly wasn't scared. He's worked hard, improved and grown as a hitter and as a person. Roch worked through his early season injuries as a freshman and stepped up for us in the NSIC Tournament. He had a great fall, he's a really good athlete, a great big guy but he moves around well and is solid defensively. Because of that versatility, he can go across the diamond and help us at third where we also have Brad Fossum and Gunnar McCarthy."
 
He concluded, "Once we get a couple other infielders back, we should have even more depth at third which will force us to make some decisions around the infield as a result."
 
MEET THE BEARS: MIDDLE INFIELD
Last year's middle infield was comprised of a pair of seniors who had played together since high school in Eric Fasnacht and Alex LaPorte. A midseason injury to LaPorte allowed McKenzie to bring Isaac Hormann from left field to second base where he projects to return to in 2017.
 
"Hormann is a leader and really a versatile player. He'll at the top of the lineup, he can bunt, he competes and he leads in his own way."
 
During his breakout freshman season, Hormann hit .323/.398/.484 with nine doubles and a pair of home runs with a mature 10-12 walk-strikeout ratio. Like Schmidt and Whittaker, Hormann's versatility could lead him to other spots defensively on the diamond once the season is underway.
 
"Adam Hildebrandt and Kyle Horstmann can also play this position. Hildy showed a ton of flexibility last year defensively as an infielder/outfielder and is one of our few left handed bats. Both guys got their feet wet last year and aren't scared."
 
Hildebrandt was a .278 hitter in 25 starts, getting on base at a .395 clip with solid bunting skills (seven sacrifices) and a strong nine walks and five hit by pitch to just nine strikeouts in 72 at bats while Horstmann was 2-5 with a triple in his first year.
 
Replacing Fasnacht could be either freshman Patrick Bordewick or junior Mickey Leius with either player capable of finding another position as well.
 
"Mickey and Patrick are both solid defenders and working hard on their swings. We like what they bring to the table and we're excited for them to show what they can do."
 
MEET THE BEARS: OUTFIELDERS
As if the infield and catcher positions aren't crowded, the outfield is flooded with various skillsets and is even more complex with Schmidt, Hormann, Hildebrandt potentially in the mix.
 
"We're crowded in the outfield and all we can do is try give guys a shot and see where it lands," McKenzie stated.
 
Returners Andrew Shotwell, Tanner Holmquist and Joe Muench bring the most experience as all have used redshirts or transfer seasons to make them the most advanced in terms of the age brackets on the squad. Shotwell hit .318/.389/.457 with three home runs and Holmquist hit .300/.363/.500 with eight home runs as everyday corner outfielders last season.
 
Muench missed the 2016 campaign with an injury but brings 54 games of playing experience to the lineup and "has been one of our best hitters through fall ball and early spring practice," said McKenzie.
 
"We know Tanner's a plus hitter who could see some time at DH throughout the year depending on our outfield mix and Shotty's likely ticketed for right field again," he continued.
 
Returners Jake Steckler and Steven Nessler bring speed to the unit, "Steckler runs really well, is aggressive and not scared out there and Steven's a solid role player with speed and bunting ability."
 
Newcomers Zach Elder and Connor Trygstad, transfers from St. Leo (Fla.) and North Dakota, bring solid experience to the mix. "Zach has a solid bat and has Division II experience and Trygstad comes from a DI program and is one of our three left handed bats."
 
When looking back at the roster on a mid-February afternoon in his new office, McKenzie reflected and offered the following, "We don't have much set in stone yet, we have some players that we know will be in the lineup but where guys hit and what positions they ultimately play remain to be seen. What we know is that we love our versatility and depth, especially as guys get back to full strength and full speed."
 
MEET THE BEARS: PITCHING STAFF
Concordia welcomes seven new pitchers and one redshirt addition to a staff only looking to fill four vacancies with the departure of southpaw starters Kody Knaus and Zach Rengel and late inning relievers Yuji Suzuki and Tyler Schmitz.
 
With 17 pitchers on the roster entering the season, "We feel our pitching staff is the deepest we've ever had if we can stay away from injuries," said McKenzie, with caution.
 
Last year's staff returns sophomore Gus Varland and senior Kevin Woebke who were in the weekend rotation and mid-week starters/swingmen senior Josh Lenz (LHP) and Keanu Mendez (RHP).
 
While roles have yet to be announced to the team, all four pitchers topped 35 innings last season with Varland's 54 innings and 43 strikeouts leading the team while Lenz led the team with seven wins and Mendez posted a strong 6-1 record with a team-best 4.08 ERA. Woebke has been a three year starting pitcher and enters the year with nearly 130 innings under his belt.
 
Senior Jake Kounkel carved out a strong role in 2016 as a feared setup right hander, striking out 30 batters in 21.2 innings and has the second lowest ERA among returners at 4.57. Senior left hander Erik Monson had a strong finish to the season, throwing big innings in four separate relief appearances against Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, Winona State and St. Cloud State total 12.1 innings while allowing five runs.
 
Right handers Erick Kivi and Patrick Courtney, both seniors, and Bram Minser, a junior also have provided stability to the CSP bullpen in their careers. Righty Shane Benson joins the group after redshirting a year ago.
 
"A couple of the pitchers who have been in the program but haven't garnered many innings have really looked good as upperclassmen which is encouraging for them and for us," McKenzie noted.
 
The newcomers to the pitching staff include RCTC transfers Blake Stelzer and Nick Lilienthal and Nebraska-Omaha DI transfer Riley Sweeney and will be joined by freshmen Connor Hurley, Ray Wellner, Dylan DeRuiter and Louie Varland, the younger brother Gus.