Core members of the Cardinals return for 2021
Hamilton, Ontario - The Hamilton Cardinals are pleased to announce the signing of four veteran core players for the upcoming IBL season. Two key members of the Cardinals offense and two top left-handed pitchers are set to return for what hopes to be an exciting 2021 season.
Outfielder Connor Bowie (Ancaster) returns for his 5th season with the Cardinals. After graduating from Mount Aloysius College, Connor has hit .262 ( 88-336) with 20 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs, driven in 47, and stole 17 bases in his IBL career.
Infielder Laine Renaud (Hamilton) returns for his 4th season with the Cardinals. After graduating from East Stroudsbourg University, Laine has hit .240 (70-292) with 7 doubles, 9 home runs and 40 RBI’s in his IBL career.
Left-handed pitcher Ben Braun (Georgetown) returns for his 2nd season in a Cardinals uniform after spending two seasons with Burlington. He has pitched in 34 games with a 2-7 record with 88 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched. Last season Ben was 2-3 with an ERA of 3.56 and had an ERA of 0.00 in 14 innings pitched in the playoffs.
Left-handed All-Star pitcher Chris Lazar (Mississauga) returns for this 5th season with the Cardinals. Chris is a two-time First Team IBL All-Star (2019 and 2017) and a Second Team All-Star in 2018. Chris last season was 7-3 with a 2.21 ERA and added 32 strikeouts in 57 innings. In his IBL career he has pitched in 47 games, 218.2 Innings with a 14-15 record and has recorded 117 Strikeouts.
“I am so excited to have these four great team guys back for another season. What makes the Cardinals such a special team is the team unity and team-first concept that these guys help foster. With the help of other core veterans Justin Gideon, Jake Chiaravalle, Jamie Richmond, and Stefan Strecker (not signed as of yet) I truly believe we are going to see some great baseball. We have added some great young players as well that will really push for playing time and that we are counting on contributing right away, but with these IBL veterans around the young guys will learn a lot and will grow to help with building this strong nucleus of players.” Jeff Lounsbury, Hamilton Cardinals GM
Stay tuned to the Hamilton Cardinals and IBL website and social media for all the latest news on the return to play.
The Hamilton Cardinals are a member of Canada’s top baseball league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.iblcardinals.ca or follow the Cardinals on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HamCardinalsIBL