LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Concordia baseball family continues another professional baseball playing career as assistant coach Marcus McKenzie will compete in his third season of pro baseball with the Rockford RiverHawks of the Frontier League. McKenzie finished out the 2008 season with the RiverHawks, striking out seven in seven innings in five relief appearances.

It was McKenzie's strong spring performance in exhibition play that made him a lock to make the squad. The six foot, 190 pound left hander was dominant in May throwing six shutout innings in four relief appearances. He was unhittable striking out eight while allowing just four hits with an 8-1 K/BB ratio.

The son of Concordia head coach Mark "Lunch" McKenzie, Marcus was the last pitcher to make the roster as he was recovering from injury last season. But being clocked consistently in the 86-91 mile per hour range and his solid exhibition numbers made him a lock for that roster spot.

McKenzie has also played for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association as well as the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League. In 2008, he spent time with Southern Illinois and Rockford.

He played his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota where he posted a 7-1 record as a senior in 2007.

The RiverHawks will open their season on May 21 at the Windy City ThunderBolts at 7:05 p.m. Follow Marcus McKenzie's 2009 season by visiting the RiverHawks official website, www.rockfordriverhawks.com/.