Saberhagen set to return as Stingers manager in 2015

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce that Drew Saberhagen will return to manage the Stingers for a second season. The 2015 season will be Saberhagen’s 8th year in the Northwoods League as a former player, coach and manager.

Saberhagen led the Stingers to a 46-26 overall record last season, which set the mark for the most wins in Stingers history for a single-season. The Stingers were a formidable opponent all season finishing with the second-best overall record in the Northwoods League behind the 2014 league champion Lakeshore Chinooks (50-21).

The Stingers won 22 games in the first half of the season. Under Saberhagen’s guidance, the team earned its second playoff appearance in the past five years. For his accomplishments, Saberhagen was named as the manager of the North Division in the Northwoods League All-Star Game played in Mequon, WI.

“I’m excited to be back managing the Stingers again this season,” Saberhagen stated. “The organization and fans are top notch and I can’t wait to be back at the Beehive for opening night.”

This off-season, Saberhagen and the organization are recruiting the 2015 club with the potential of several players returning from the most successful team in franchise history. The first returners to commit are junior outfielder Sean Beesley (Illinois State University) and right-handed sophomore pitcher Will Lydon (Pacific University).

Beesley was a staple in the Stingers outfield, playing primarily centerfield last summer. He led the team in games played (61) and finished with a .305 batting average. Beesley accumulated 67 hits, 24 runs batted in and stole 25 bases.

Lydon was a part of a pitching staff that finished third in the league in team ERA last summer. He was a valuable arm throughout the entire season, making a majority of his appearances out of the bullpen. In 17 games, he posted a 4-3 record while throwing 42.1 innings and recording 30 strikeouts.

The Stingers and manager Saberhagen will continue to build the 2015 roster as the off-season continues. The team hopes to fill a full 30-man roster before the start of the season which will begin in late May. For 2015 Season tickets or more information regarding this press release please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.

The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest summer collegiate baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com.