Ver Steeg Adds All-Region Honors

MOORHEAD, Minn. (5/22/18)---Austin Ver Steeg parlayed an unbeaten record into his first American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Midwest All-Region award.

Ver Steeg went 3-0 in his seven appearances in 2018. He fashioned a team-best 1.25 earned run average. He pitched in 36.0 innings, struck out 34 batters and gave up only 26 hits as he was named to the ABCA Midwest All-Region Third Team. 

Ver Steeg led the team in wins, ERA and strikeouts in overall games. He recorded his three wins against Rose-Hulman, Waynesburg and Gustavus. His top performance of the year came against Waynesburg on Mar. 6 when he hurled a complete-game shutout and struck out seven.      

Ver Steeg is the latest in a long line of Cobber players who have earned ABCA All-Region honors. He becomes the 51st Concordia player since 1983 to receive the award. The Cobbers have had at least one player earn the honor in six of the past seven seasons and 17 of the past 20 years. Cobber head coach Chris Coste was a three-time All-Region award winner and football head coach Terry Horan was named to the 1989 ABCA All-Region Team.

The ABCA All-America team was first recognized in 1949 and now includes nine divisions: NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, Pacific Association Division, and high school. ABCA/Rawlings

The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 9,600 members represent all 50 states and 25 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth. The 75th annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 3-6, 2019 in Dallas, Texas.

Cobber ABCA All-Region Winners
2018 – Austin Ver Steeg
2016 – Tim Carlson
2015 - Nick Bornhauser, Bryce Feia, Aaron Green, Devin Johnson
2014 - Jordan Gefroh
2013 - Devin Johnson
2012 - Michael Olson, Brian Guler (Gold Glove Team)
2010 - Jake Krause, Dan Wackler
2009 - Kyle Johnson, Scott Schumacher
2008 - Kyle Johnson, Adam Johnson
2006 - Billy DeNet, Brian Schumacher
2005 - Bryan Romsa, Brian Scumacher
2004 - Ryan Hebrink, Jeremy Hinderks, Luther Kangas
2003 - Derek Dormanen, Ryan Hebrink, Jeremy Hinderks
2002 - Chad Felstul
2001 - Derek Dormanen
2000 - Clayton Horgen
1999 - Clayton Horgen
1997 - Scott DeBrito, Noah Johnson
1996 - Stuart Lang, Randy Razidlo
1995 - Chris Coste, Jeremy Kovash, Ron Litzau
1994 - Chris Coste
1993 - Chris Coste, Chris Marsden, Gary Ullrich
1992 - Brad Keenan
1989 - Terry Horan
1986 - Eric Jacobson, Doug Kovash, John Riewer
1985 - Kent Kuball, Joel Smith
1984 - Howard Berglund, Mark Nelson
1983 - Stephen Anderson, Mark Nelson