March 25, 2010

(Willmar, MN) – The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League continue to add players to the 2010 inaugural roster with three recent additions. The Stingers signed two infielders and one outfielder this week which puts the roster currently at officially 10 players of a 30-man roster.  Signing contracts this week were junior first baseman Andrew Haake (University of Nebraska-Kearney), sophomore first baseman /designated hitter Eduardo Gonzalez (Alcorn State University), and freshman centerfielder Isaac Ballou (Marshall University).

Haake is a left-handed hitter who last season hit 11 home runs with the Lopers and had 49 RBI. He also scored 46 runs and had 13 doubles. The Beatice, NE native played for the Yorktown Cardinals of the Western Major Baseball League in Canada last summer, where he hit .261 with 7 home runs in 37 games. He played his first two years of collegiate baseball at Cloud County Community College in Kansas.  Currently, Haake is hitting. 323 with 3 home runs this spring. 
 
Gonzalez was named to the 2009 Louisville Freshman All-American Team last year, which the candidates were selected by Collegiate Baseball.  The Lutz, FL. native finished the season with a .407 average, which was 1st in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and 43rd in the country. He was named as the SWAC Freshman of the Year.  To date he is currently leading his team with a .411 average this spring.

Joining Haake and Gonzalez is switch-hitting Isaac Ballou.  Ballou is a quick athletic outfielder who homered in his first collegiate game this spring and is 9 for 9 in stolen base attempts. During his high school days at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, he swiped 100 stolen bases.  “I’m happy with how our guys are performing this spring,” Stingers field manager Matt Hollod said.  “I think fans will enjoy seeing Isaac roam centerfield at Bill Taunton Stadium. He is a multiple tools guy with a lot of potential.”
 
The Inaugural season home opener is Thursday, June 3 vs. St. Cloud.  Season tickets are currently available for $149 for reserved seat backs and $169 for box seat season tickets. For more information regarding the roster and upcoming season, please call 320-222-2010.