Concordia Chicago Baseball ranked in national poll
RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- The Concordia Chicago baseball team's 7-1 start to the 2008 season has drawn some attention in some national circles, as the latest Division III rankings by d3baseball.com show that the Cougars have received 14 votes, putting them at 39th place.

Concordia's play against some quality opposition on their March 2-8 Arizona trip worked in the Cougars' favor. The team opened up with two victories against Gwynedd- Mercy College, a 2007 PAC conference champion and NCAA tournament team.

Concordia also defeated Webster University 12-4 on the final day of the trip; Webster was the SLIAC champion last season and was ranked 32nd in last week's poll. Even Concordia's lone loss (7-2 on March 7) may have impressed some voters – it came against the College of New Jersey, currently 5-0 on the season and ranked eighth in this week's poll.

This marks the first time that the Cougar program has received a national ranking. Last April, the team earned a number eight ranking in the Central region in a poll by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). "This ranking is a testimony to our players preparing themselves during the off-season and being ready for the challenges of this season," stated Concordia head coach Spiro Lempesis. "I'm happy that other baseball people are giving them some recognition, and I'm hoping that this will be only the beginning."

Courtesy of Concordia University Chicago, Sports Information Department, March 12, 2008.