May 22, 2018

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No. 8 Concordia-Chicago Cougars, 38-13

Champion of Midwest Regional

5/17 vs. Bethany Lutheran W, 13-12 BX RC
5/18 at Bethel W, 10-7 BX RC
5/19 vs. No. 7 UW-Oshkosh L, 9-7 BX RC
5/19 at Dubuque W, 6-3 BX RC
5/20 at No. 7 UW-Oshkosh W, 7-1 BX RC
5/20 at No. 7 UW-Oshkosh W, 3-2 BX RC
       
 CUC logo

 

Stat rankings (of 386 teams in D-III)

Runs per game

7.6 (55th)

Earned run average

3.76 (54th)

On-base percentage

.395 (91st)

Strikeout-to-walk ratio

2.01 (85th)

Slugging percentage 

.425 (93rd)

Walks+hits/IP

1.29 (24th)
   

Key hitters

Jose Mercado SS Jose Mercado

Leadoff hitter, with all the skills you'd normally assign to a shortstop batting at the top of the order. Has broken each of his hands this year and wears protective gloves running the bases.

.357, 41 runs, 39 stolen bases

Key pitchers

Mike Formella RHP Mike Formella

Workhorse reliever, program's all-time leader in saves and wins. Had three of Cougars' five wins in the Midwest Regional. Last year in the NCAA postseason, Formella had three saves and a 0.59 ERA.

6-1, 2.10 ERA, 14 saves, 68.2 IP, 58 K

3B Bryan VanDuser, .271, 39 R, 26 RBI, 19 BB
RF Joe Silva, .377, 60 R, 16 2B, 2 HR, 24 SB
1B Andrew Massey, .373, 14 2B, 2 HR, 47 RBI
2B Mitch Wilson, .347, 33 R, 13 2B, 2 HR, 41 RBI, 33 BB
DH Brady Roberts, .274, 18 R, 3 HR, 19 RBI
C Kevin Coppin, .267, 27 R, 8 2B, 21 RBI, 34 BB
LF Connor Brandon, .329, 31 R, 8 2B, 3 HR, 28 RBI
CF Keegan Tyrell, .293, 39 R, 5 3B, 4 HR, 39 RBI, 23 BB

SP Keaton Conner, 4-2, 4.26, 11 starts, 61.1 IP, 62 H, 25 BB, 55 K
RP Alex Meyers, 6-2, 2.70, 2 Sv, 43.1 IP, 41 H, 13 BB, 47 K
SP Cole Carman, 2-0, 5.79, 4 starts, 28 IP, 29 H, 11 BB, 15 K
SP Adam Schmitt, 4-2, 4.31, 7 starts, 48 IP, 44 H, 14 BB, 28 K
SP Noah Dressler, 4-0, 3.62, 5 starts, 32.1 IP, 27 H, 13 BB, 20 K
SP Brian Musielak 6-2, 3.34, 8 starts, 67.1 IP, 69 H, 13 BB, 46 K

Scouting report

  • First baseman Andrew Massey was hurt landing on the base after leaping for a throw late in the regional win vs. Bethel and has not played since. Jacob Frank (.196-3-12) has played first base in his place.
  • Formella has thrown 29.1 innings in May, including 23.2 innings in an eight-day span from May 13-20. 
  • The last four years of CUC baseball has seen the share of dramatic finishes. The term "Cardiac Cougars" was coined during the 2015 season and they are still pulling off heart-stopping wins. CUC head coach Mike Stawski has instilled the term "play nine" and if you let up with a big lead, the Cougars will not. This is not a tag line but the credo of the CUC program. As such, too, they don't give up any at-bats, either, as they have solid hitters from 1-9.

Features

Roster

# NAME POS. B-T HT. WT. YR.
1 Jose Mercado SS R-R 5-9 165 Jr.
2 Andrew Massey 1B R-R 6-0 195 Sr.
3 Keegan Tyrell OF R-R 5-10 185 Jr.
4 Kevin Garcia INF R-R 5-9 175 Sr.
6 Michael Sutor OF R-R 6-1 195 Fr.
7 Matt Fauth OF R-R 5-11 180 Jr.
8 Brody Mariotti 1B R-R 6-2 230 Fr.
9 Bryan VanDuser INF R-R 5-9 180 Jr.
10 Kevin Coppin C L-R 5-10 190 Sr.
11 Brady Roberts C R-R 5-8 200 Sr.
12 Robert Perna P R-R 6-0 200 Fr.
13 Adam Lackey C R-R 6-0 185 Fr.
14 Aaron Wicker INF R-R 5-11 160 So.
16 Mateo Calle OF R-R 5-10 188 So.
17 Cody Caballero P L-L 6-1 190 Sr.
18 Keaton Conner P R-R 6-0 190 Sr.
19 Adam Schmitt P L-R 6-1 215 Sr.
20 Alex Meyers P R-R 6-3 220 Sr.
21 Brady Adams 1B R-R 6-0 225 Fr.
22 Mike Formella P R-R 6-2 190 Sr.
23 Mitch Wilson 2B L-R 5-10 180 Sr.
24 Brian Musielak P L-R 6-2 195 Sr.
25 Justin Rodriguez C R-R 5-11 190 Jr.
27 Declan Peterson INF R-R 5-8 175 Fr.
28 Adam Gregory P L-L 6-2 205 Jr.
29 Salvatore Biondo P R-R 6-2 190 So.
30 Abelardo Paz Agudelo UT/P R-R 6-1 203 Jr.
31 Grant Davis OF R-R 5-11 175 Sr.
32 Connor Brandon OF R-L 6-1 190 Jr.
33 Noah Dressler P R-R 6-3 190 So.
34 Joe Silva OF L-R 6-1 185 Sr.
35 Anthony Rogers P R-L 6-2 205 Fr.
36 Jacob Frank 1B R-R 5-11 200 Jr.
44 Cade Laudenschlager P R-R 6-1 190 Fr.
45 Cole Carman P R-R 6-3 170 Fr.
52 James Grassl P R-L 6-3 195 Fr.

Coach: Mike Stawski

News and releases posted to D3baseball.com

  • Cougars Attack Vikings From Behind to Secure Victory
    April 11, 2023
  • Concordia-Chicago busts out their bats
    April 10, 2023
    The Cougars of CUC set a runs record (51 runs in a DH) in a NACC doubleheader sweep of Wisc. Lutheran on Monday. Aurora also won big with 33 runs of their own.
  • Cougars Decimate Warriors With Record-Breaking 51 Runs on the Day
    April 10, 2023
  • Ignatowski Named NWU head coach
    November 21, 2022
    Eric Ignatowski has been named the next head baseball coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University, school officials announced.
  • All-Around Effort Leads CUC Baseball To Sweep of Benedictine
    April 29, 2022
    Behind two huge starting pitching performances, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team swept the Benedictine University Eagles on Friday afternoon. The Cougars scored early in game one and then were able to ride strong pitching by Jack Rector and Vincent Sartori to a 12-5 win. Then in game two CUC grabbed the lead midway through, then gave the ball to Westin Stutzman and Wyatt McLaughlin for the 5-2 win.
  • All-Around Effort Leads CUC Baseball To Sweep of Benedictine
    April 29, 2022
    Behind two huge starting pitching performances, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team swept the Benedictine University Eagles on Friday afternoon. The Cougars scored early in game one and then were able to ride strong pitching by Jack Rector and Vincent Sartori to a 12-5 win. Then in game two CUC grabbed the lead midway through, then gave the ball to Westin Stutzman and Wyatt McLaughlin for the 5-2 win.
  • Big Pitching Effort Leads CUC Past Carthage
    April 26, 2022
    Behind six and two-thirds innings of no-hit ball on the mound, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team picked up a 5-1 non-conference road win over the Carthage College Firebirds on Tuesday afternoon. CUC got all the runs they would need for the day in the first, then used a combination of six pitchers to down the Firebirds.
  • Early Runs Critical in Win Over Wheaton
    March 29, 2022
    Picking up their second win in as many days, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team defeated the Wheaton College Thunder on Tuesday evening. The Cougars got out early with a four-run second inning and were able to hold off a late Wheaton rally for the 7-5 victory.
  • CUC's Offense Comes Alive In Win Over North Park
    March 28, 2022
    Behind the best offensive output of the 2022 season, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team picked up a 12-7 non-conference win over North Park on Monday afternoon. The Cougars pounded out 14 hits and got four and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief from Chris Villafuerte in the win.
  • Cougars Fall to ONU 6-5
    March 10, 2022
    After enjoying the off day yesterday, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team took the field on Thursday to begin the final three-day stretch of the Florida swing. The Cougars took to the field against the Ohio Northern Polar Bears. CUC had opportunities offensively all day but were unable to plate the tying run in the ninth, falling to ONU 6-5.
  • Dorsch's Big Blast Leads CUC Past Albion
    March 08, 2022
    Playing their fourth game in as many days, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team took to the field on Tuesday morning against the Britons of Albion. The Cougars found themselves trailing going into the bottom of the seventh, but they were able to plate four runs with two outs in the seventh to tie the game. CUC then had the highlight of the season thus far when first-year Tyler Dorsch hit a walk-off homer to left in his first collegiate at-bat to give CUC a 7-6 win.
  • Wallace's Eighth Inning Blast Propels CUC Past Cornell
    March 05, 2022
    Opening up the 2022 Florida trip strong, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team rode a strong group pitching performance to a 2-1 victory over the Cornell College Rams on Saturday afternoon. Colton Wallace provided the big blast for CUC with a solo homer off the scoreboard in left in the bottom of the eighth.
  • Wallace's Eighth Inning Blast Propels CUC Past Cornell
    March 05, 2022
    Opening up the 2022 Florida trip strong, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team rode a strong group pitching performance to a 2-1 victory over the Cornell College Rams on Saturday afternoon. Colton Wallace provided the big blast for CUC with a solo homer off the scoreboard in left in the bottom of the eighth.
  • Team Effort Leads Cougars To First Win of 2022
    February 19, 2022
    The Concordia University Chicago baseball team got into the win column on Saturday with a 5-3 win over Fontbonne University. The Cougars received contributions from everyone in the lineup, while also shining on the mound on their way to their first victory of 2022. 
  • Cougars Fall In Season Opener To Augustana
    February 18, 2022
    The 2022 season is underway for the Concordia University Chicago baseball team as they headed south to Memphis, Tenn., to compete in the Rhodes College Classic. They faced off against Augustana College in the opener on Friday afternoon, falling to the Vikings by a final score of 12-2. 
  • La Roche sweeps to 12-0 record
    April 26, 2021
    The La Roche Redhawks won two in a battle of AMCC teams with undefeated records in conference, outscoring the Mounties 24-5 on Monday. Out in Illinois,Benedictine made it 16 wins in a row after a 14-9 win over Concordia-Chicago.
  • John Carroll, DePauw sweep powerhouse teams
    March 13, 2021
    John Carroll swept Baldwin Wallace by the narrowest margins and DePauw set down Concordia-Chicago in their two game set as well. It was a busy day across D-III Nation and here are a sample of the action on Saturday.
  • Region Preview: Midwest
    February 17, 2021
    The days you can bank on a Midwest team in the D-III World Series are days gone by. The Warhawks of Whitewater and Cougars of Concordia have not fallen from this rarefied air but it seems that many teams have.
  • Senior day comes early.
    March 14, 2020
    Benedictine and Concordia-Chicago saw their seasons come to an end on Saturday.and ended them on a winning note. In a grudge match between Top 25 teams and regional rivals, Wooster was one run better than Marietta.
  • CUC Cougars outlasts Webster
    March 10, 2020
    Concordia Chicago needed extra innings to grab a win over No. 20 Webster. The Cougars twelfth inning run held up in the completion of a suspended game. CUC then scored another win with four runs in the eleventh inning to book two wins.
  • Mercado Climbs Aboard Railcats Train
    December 04, 2019
    After two years of serving as the engine for the Concordia University Chicago baseball team, shortstop Jose Mercado's route to professional baseball begins with him hopping aboard the train in Northwest Indiana. Mercado recently signed a contract for the 2020 season with the Gary SouthShore RailCats of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
  • Concordia-Chicago promotes Conner
    June 26, 2019
    Kolin Conner has been appointed to the position of head baseball coach at Concordia University Chicago. Conner will assume the responsibilities previously held by Mike Stawski, who coached the Cougars the last four seasons.
  • Stawski moves to UMHB
    June 08, 2019
    Mike Stawski coached Concordia-Chicago to the 2017 and 2018 Division III World Series, and will take over for Ben Shipp, who is retiring after 34 years at Mary Hardin-Baylor.
  • Gorloks Rout Cougars, Set Course for Iowa
    May 25, 2019
  • Gorloks Edge Cougars for 1-0 Advantage in Super Regional
    May 24, 2019
  • Cougars defend home turf, advance
    May 20, 2019
    Concordia-Chicago finished its trip back from the losers' bracket and beat Baldwin Wallace to earn a three-game set with Webster, nabbing the final super regional spot.
  • Super Regionals filled, almost
    May 19, 2019
    Cortland broke out the bats to advance to the super regionals, W&J and Johns Hopkins secured spots next as the 16 team super regionals took shape. Concordia-Chicago extended their regional into Monday with a 14-13 win in extra innings over Baldwin Wallace.
  • Slugfest Ends in Cougar Walk-Off
    May 19, 2019
    Concordia University Chicago  took on Baldwin Wallace in the NCAA Regional Championship. For CUC this would count as an elimination game since they dropped the previous matchup between the two teams 10-8. Although the Yellow Jackets came into the tournament on a four-game losing streak, they had shown no signs of slump in the regional. In a game that somehow outscored the first meeting between the two, CUC found a way to knock off the Baldwin Wallace 14-13. 
  • Cougars and Yellow Jackets Suspended Until Sunday
    May 18, 2019
  • CUC's Gregory Gasses Through Game One of Regional
    May 17, 2019
    Lefty's Eight Shutout Innings Lead Cougars' 2-0 Victory
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