BEN BREWSTER WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE
Huskies’ Lieser one to watch
Scott Lieser (St. Cloud State) was named to the Watch List for the Tino Martinez Division II Player of the Year Award. Lieser, who pitched for Willmar in 2011 and 2012, has a 1.96 ERA in 18.1 innings over three starts for the Huskies. He’s struck out 19 and walked 4. The Watch List includes 151 top Division II baseball players from across the nation and is named for former MLB player Martinez who starred for D-II University of Tampa. Two other Huskies, twin brothers Garrett and Kyle Fischer, are also having hot starts to the season. Garrett is batting .391 in 23 at bats, and Kyle has a 3.79 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 19 innings. Both Fischers played for Willmar in 2012.
Florida Gulf Coast nationally ranked
Florida Gulf Coast, featuring several former Stingers, cracked Baseball America’s Top 25 this week, coming in at No. 23. Returning Stinger Michael Suchy is hitting .310 with a home run and seven RBIs through the first seven games. Sean Dwyer, who played for Willmar in 2011, is also hitting .310, and slugging .586 with two triples and a home run. Fellow 2011 Stinger Ricky Knapp is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 9 strikeouts in 15 innings. Knapp pitched a complete game shutout against the Florida Gators on Feb. 22 to earn Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Week honors.
Rowan makes D-I debut
Mitch Rowan, who manned the outfield for Willmar in 2011 and 2012, started his senior season for the University of San Francisco, his first in Division I. Rowan played for Willamette University his first three seasons. Rowan is batting .300 with 3 doubles and 5 RBIs in 20 at bats. Rowan’s Don teammate, 2012 Stinger Andrew Pulido, has a 2.08 ERA through 8.2 innings pitched.
Kuhn heating up
Infielder Max Kuhn (Kentucky) is having a nice start, batting .367 with 2 doubles and a triple, and has started all eight games for the No. 11 Wildcats. He also leads the team with 9 walks. Kuhn saw action in 47 games for the 2012 Stingers and will return in 2013.
Allday Hitter of the Week in Southland
Forrestt Allday (Central Arkansas) was named the Southland Conference’s Hitter of the Week on Feb. 26; Allday was 8-for-16 at the plate with 2 doubles and 5 RBIs, and is hitting .467 on the season. Allday set two Northwoods League records last season with 77 walks and 68 runs for the Stingers.
Woolley WCC Player of the Week
Junior shortstop Chris Woolley (San Diego), who got 50 at bats for the Stingers in 2011, was named the West Central Conference Player of the Week. Woolley was 7-for-11 on the week with a double and 6 RBIs. Woolley’s USD teammate and 2012 Stingers’ catcher Dillon Haupt is batting .280 for the 3-4 Toreros. Haupt was 2-for-2 with 5 RBIs against Kent State on Saturday.
Etc.
Returning Stinger Steven Brault (Regis) is batting .423 with 6 doubles and 7 RBIs in 26 at bats … 2012 Stinger second baseman Kenny Roberts (Alabama) is starting at second for the Crimson Tide and is batting .259 in 27 at bats … 2012 Stinger Jerad McCrummen (Texas Tech) has a 1.59 ERA over four relief appearances for the Red Raiders … 2012 Stinger shortstop Hunter Dozier (Stephen F. Austin) is hitting .318 through 23 at bats with a home run and 4 RBIs; Dozier was ranked the No. 84 college prospect for the 2013 MLB Draft by Baseball America back in November … 2012 Stinger first baseman Corben Green (La.-Monroe) is leading the Warhawks with a .375 batting average through their first eight games … 2012 Stinger infielder Matt Jackson (Washington) will miss the entire 2013 season due to injury suffered in a fall practice.
