Written by Dain Solberg

Photo Courtesy of Dennis Benson

WILLMAR, MN- After playing a pair of road series against Bismarck and Minot, The Stingers (5-1) return to Bill Taunton Stadium to take on the Saint Cloud Rox (6-2).

For the Rox, which is hitting .283 as a team, second baseman Nathan Rose (Shaker Heights, OH) who starred at Bowling Green State University, is hitting .409 with nine hits, five runs, and seven RBI. At BSU, Rose led the Falcons in doubles (10) and finished sixth in the MAC conference.

On the bump, Tarleton State product Piercen McElyea will make his second start of the season. During his first start in late May, McElyea threw five innings where he struck out six batters and only allowed one run with a walk. Overall, the Saint Cloud pitching staff has posted a 3.64 ERA and 35 runs in 8 games played this season.

For Willmar, catcher Zach Stroh (Elk River, MN) leads the offense. Stroh, who played at Minnesota State- Mankato, is hitting .400 with six hits, six runs, and two RBI. Stroh helped MSU advance to the NCAA Division II baseball tournament this spring where the Mavericks faced another Stinger in the catcher’s room in Augustana Product Drey Dirksen. After the DII World Series, Dirksen will join the Stingers. Stone Miyao (Hilo, HI) will also be a player to watch for Willmar. The University of  Hawaii-Manoa Product is batting .346 through six games. Miyao was named to the All Big West second team and has followed in manager Freddy Smith’s footsteps enroute to Willmar. This is Miyao’s second season in the Northwoods League he played for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters in 2022.

On the hill, Alex Koep will look to continue his magic on the mound by making his second appearance after getting Willmar’s opening day start on May 31 against the Eau Claire Express. Koep, who starred for DII Minnesota-Crookston, threw four innings and combined for the win after striking out three batters, walking three and combined for the win after striking out three batters, walking three and only allowing three hits. Koep, who is part of a staff that has a 4.33 ERA and 62 strikeouts this season, will look to continue his opening magic back in front of the home crowd when they host Saint Cloud for a series on June 5-6.

First Pitch is at 7:05 at Bill Taunton Stadium on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

If you would like more information on tickets for the 2023 season, or more information regarding this news story, please contact the Willmar Stingers front office by calling 320-222-2010. More information can also be found at www.willmarstingers.com.

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

For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.

###

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.