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Published On: February 16th, 2023

Three new players make their way to Willmar to join 2023 roster

Written by Logan Bourandas

The Stingers are excited to announce three additions to the 2023 roster today. Gino Cozzi, Kevin Fitzer and Luke Williams have all signed contracts for the upcoming Northwoods League season making their Stingers debut. Cozzi, a right handed pitcher, will join the Stingers following his junior season at Montevallo College.

Last season, Cozzi led the team in innings pitched with 77.2 as well as strikeouts with 83. Cozzi was named to the All-GSC Second Team following the season. Prior to that, Cozzi spent two seasons at North Iowa Area Community College.

Moving to the lineup, Fitzer will be entering his redshirt-sophomore season at Cal-State Northridge. The corner infielder made 20 appearances as a designated hitter last season where he finished with a .317 batting average and 10 RBI. Fitzer grew up in California and played his high school ball at Aliso Niguel high school.

Closing this week’s reveal in the outfield, Williams is entering his first season at the University of Alabama. Williams previously attended Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa and was rated as the fourth best outfielder in Alabama per Prep Baseball Report. In his senior season, Williams hit for a .411 batting average with 30 RBI.

Those three Stingers, and many more still to be announced, will open up the 2023 Northwoods League season on May 31st at Bill Taunton Stadium against the Eau Claire Express.

If you would like more information on tickets for the 2023 season, or more information regarding this press release, please contact the Willmar Stingers front office by calling 320-222-2010.  For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.

The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.

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The Willmar Stingers is a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, 300 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. 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.