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Published On: March 1st, 2017

 

Still, Ledbetter, Belk set to join the Stingers

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce that Marcus Still (New Mexico State University), Caleb Ledbetter (University of Montevallo) and Brandt Belk (Pepperdine University) have been added to the Stingers roster for the 2017 season. With these signings, the roster is now at eight players for the upcoming season, the organization’s eighth in the Northwoods League.

Still, a 5-10 180-pound junior outfielder, is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and is off to a great start for New Mexico State. In the Aggies first nine games, Still has compiled a .417 batting average, three doubles, one triple and scored nine runs.

Prior to NMSU, Still played for the Fighting Artichokes of Scottsdale Community College. Still had a great sophomore campaign, posting a batting average of .344 with 13 doubles, four triples, eight home runs and stole 33 out of 40 bases. The 2016 season culminated for Marcus with Second Team All-Conference honors in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference. Because of his success at Scottsdale CC, Still was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 31st round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

Ledbetter, originally from Attala, Alabama, is a 6-0 185-pound junior infielder from Montevallo. Like Still, Ledbetter is off to a great start this season with the Falcons. Starting all 15 games thus far in 2017, Ledbetter has a .297 batting average and 16 runs batted in. Ledbetter has proven to be a versatile hitter for Coach Chandler Rose, racking up two doubles, one triple and two home runs early on this season.

Ledbetter came to the Falcons program after two seasons at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL. As a sophomore in 2016, Ledbetter appeared in 46 games with a .350 batting average, 27 RBI and scored 40 runs. His performances on the field earned him a spot on the National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region Team.

Belk, a 6-3 170-pound freshman infielder, comes to the Stingers out of Houston, Texas and Pepperdine University. Belk will join fellow Waves teammate, and Houston native, Quincy McAfee with the Stingers this upcoming season. Amassing three hits, two doubles and a pair of runs scored, Belk has started in all six of the Waves games this summer as a true freshman.

During his time at Westside High School, Belk had the second highest batting average in school history (.399). The only player to best that number was Quincy McAfee. Belk proved to be an all-around player throughout his high school career. From 2014-2016, Belk had 121 hits, 96 runs scored, 71 RBI and 36 stolen bases.

Field Manager Eric Vasquez, as well as the Stingers organization, will continue to build the roster for the 2017 season. If you would like more information on tickets for the 2017 season, or more information regarding this press release, please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.

The 2017 season is presented by Marcus Construction. “From start to finish we’ll 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. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 160 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Stingers as your favorite team.