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Published On: December 23rd, 2014

Matt Passauer & Nate Johnson return to Willmar and join Manager Drew Saberhagen     

 

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce that Drew Saberhagen has finalized the coaching staff that will accompany him at the Bee Hive in 2015. Matt Passauer will be back for his second season and former Stingers catcher Nate Johnson round out the coaching staff next summer.

Passauer is currently in his second year at East Georgia State University, and was recently promoted to interim head coach of the Bobcat baseball program. Passauer will again oversee the pitching staff for the Stingers in 2015. Under his supervision, the Stingers finished with the lowest ERA in the North Division and third lowest overall in the Northwoods League (3.81). Stingers pitchers gave up the fewest walks (238) and had the most complete games (6) in the Northwoods League as well.

Under the helm of Saberhagen, Passauer and PJ McIntee last summer, the Stingers won more games than any year (46-26) and made the post-season for the second time in franchise history. 

Johnson, who was a member of the inaugural Stingers team in 2010, has now seen his baseball career take him into coaching after suffering a knee injury during his senior year at Pepperdine University. Johnson is currently is his second season as an assistant coach at Orange Coast College (OCC) in California, where he works with the catchers and hitters.

Johnson, originally from Camarillo, California, played in 39 games for the Stingers in 2010 and also played a short stint with the Mankato Moon Dogs in 2011 before an injury ended his summer that year.

In his first year of coaching, Johnson helped lead the Pirates of the California Community College State League to a league championship. He then along with Orange Coast College Head Coach Jeff Altobelli moved east during the summer where they also coached the Brewster Whitecaps, a member of the Cape Cod League.

“One of our goals is to return players and coaches each year,” Co-owner Marc Jerzak said. “We look forward to having Drew and Matt back for second year, as they did a tremendous job and it will great having Nate back in a Stingers uniform as well.” 

Field Manager Drew Saberhagen, as well as the Stingers organization will continue to build the roster for the 2015 season. Season tickets for the 2015 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this press release please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.

The 2015 season is presented by Marcus Construction. From start to finish Marcus Construction will make your job easier and build a facility you will be proud of.

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The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized 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 120 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 Website.  For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com.