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Published On: January 27th, 2016

Passauer previously served as team’s pitching coach

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce that Matt Passauer has been named Field Manager for the 2016 season. Passauer will be the third manager in the history of the Stingers, following Matt Hollod (2010-13) and Drew Saberhagen (2014-15). The 2016 season will be Passauer’s 3rd year in the Northwoods League with the Stingers, serving as one of the assistant coaches under former manager Drew Saberhagen.

Passauer has spent the last two years East Georgia State College in Swainsboro, GA and just finished his first season as the head coach of the Bobcats. Prior to being named the head coach, he spent the 2013-14 season as the Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the program.

Originally from Erie, PA, Passauer played college baseball at the University of Maryland and finished his career at Lee University. While at Lee University, Passauer played a key role as a relief pitcher on the number one nationally ranked team, competing in the College World Series two consecutive seasons. Passauer is no stranger to summer league baseball, he was named a Texas Collegiate League All-Star in 2010 with the Brazos Valley Bombers.

The last two summers Passauer was the pitching coach for the Stingers, where he helped lead one of the best pitching staffs in the Northwoods League over each of those seasons. Under the guidance of Passauer, the Stingers pitch staff finished in the Top-5 in walks, ERA, batting average and earned runs allowed during the last two summers across the entire Northwoods League.

"I’m honored and excited for the opportunity to come back to Willmar and be part of a tremendous organization.” Passauer said. “I was very fortunate to work with Drew Saberhagen for two years and learn from a guy who knows the game and the league very well."

The Stingers staff will continue to build the 2016 roster as the off-season continues. The team hopes to fill a full 30-man roster before the start of the season which will begin in late May. For 2016 Season tickets or more information regarding this press release please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.

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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 140 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com.