Written by Dain Solberg

Photo courtesy of Dennis Benson

After a series split with the Saint Cloud Rox, the Willmar Stingers (19-5) travel east to take on Great Plains East foe the Rochester Honkers (14-12) for a two game weekend series at Mayo Field.

For Willmar, the player to watch is Sean Rimmer (University of Hawaii). Rimmer went 2-for-7 in the two game series against Saint Cloud and was named MinnWest Technology Campus player of the game during the Alexandria road trip. 

For Rochester, the player to watch is Nico Regino (Charleston Southern University), Throughout the 2023 Campaign Regino has led all Rochester hitters in average (.382) and free passes (20). This is Regino’s second season in the Northwoods League as he was with Rochester just a season ago.

On the hill, Willmar fans will see Mitch Gutknecht (Minnesota State Mankato). Gutknecht has an impressive 1.13 ERA and has tallied 20 strikeouts while only allowing three free passes in 16.0 innings of work.

On the hill, Rochester fans will likely see Michael Banderas (San Joaquin Delta College). In eight games, Banderas has struckout 16 batters and walked 13. He sports a stellar 1.10 ERA. 

Both games will take place at 7:05 in Rochester at Mayo Field

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.

The Willmar Stingers are 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’ 30thseason, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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, over 325 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.