The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League continues to finalize its 2011 roster as the team has recently signed eight players and looks to wrap up the last roster spots in the next three weeks. Joining the 2011 Stingers are outfielders Tyler Zupcic (Appalachian State University) and Mitchell Rowan (Willamette University).
Other new additions include; left-handed pitcher Kody Gorden (Western Nevada Community College), right-handed pitcher Anthony Consiglio (Western Nevada Community College), left-handed pitcher Jack Shannon (University of San Diego), left-handed pitcher Scott Zuloaga (Scottsdale Community College), right-handed pitcher Dan Russell (University of Western Illinois) and left-handed pitcher Tanner Banks (Salt Lake City Community College).
Zupcic, a 6 foot 1 inch, 185 lbs. sophomore started 53 games as a freshman last year for the Mountaineers and is currently hitting .320 with 13 stolen bases this season. Zupcic will add team speed to this year’s roster along with newest to-be Stinger teammate Rowan.
Rowan is a 6 foot, 195 lbs. red-shirt junior who played in only seven games this spring before fracturing his wrist. Prior to the injury, he was selected First Team Preseason All-American by D3baseball.com. As a sophomore, he hit .403 with 12 home runs with had 42 RBI. Rowan is also a punter and kicker on the Bearcats football team.
College teammates Gorden and Consiglio will be looked upon to make an immediate impact for the Stingers on the mound. Gorden is a 6 foot 1 inch, 185 lbs. sophomore southpaw that currently leads his team in starts and has a 7-1 record with a 2.89 ERA. Consiglio, is 6 foot 3 inch, 210 lbs. freshman who is currently 7-1 with 52 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings pitched.
Also recently announced are four other pitchers completing the pitching staff for the season. Shannon is 6 foot 3 inch, 190 lbs. redshirt sophomore from the University of San Diego. In 15 1/3 innings this spring, he has 14 strikeouts and opponents are hitting just .228 against him. Last season, he appeared in 16 games and had 34 strikeouts in 32 innings with a 3.10 ERA. In high school, Shannon was coached by former major leaguer Jack McDowell.
Zuloaga is a 6 foot 3 inch, 200 lbs. sophomore who has recently signed to play at New Mexico State University next season. This season, Zuloaga in 39 innings has 43 strikeouts and a 1.82 ERA for the Fighting Artichokes.
Russell, a 5 foot 9 inch, 175 lbs. junior has a team-high 81 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts in 13 appearances this spring. He began his college career at Illinois Central College and is their all-time career strikeout leader with 148. Also, in high school, he managed to strike out 22 hitters in one game.
Banks, a 6 foot 190 lbs. freshman is currently leading his team with a 5-0 record with a 1.19 ERA and four saves. He’s team-low ERA has helped lead the Bruins to a nationally ranked 43-13 record.