Four Stingers Named To Postseason Northwoods League All-Star Team

Written by Dain Solberg 

Graphic by Ethan Rommes

The Northwoods League announced this year’s Postseason All-Star Team. Willmar had four players named to that roster. These players were infielders Drey Dirksen (Augustana University), Stone Miyao (University of Hawaii), outfielder Kevin Fitzer (California State Northridge) and pitcher Chris Rofe (Mount Marty College). 

The Northwoods League Manager Of The Year was also named today. The Manager Of The Year is our own Freddy Smith (University of Hawaii). Smith had the most franchise wins with 49. He credits the success to the players and the other members of the coaching staff including Mason Rapp, Josh Teichroew, and first half pitching coach Michael Newstrom.

This season, Miyao, Dirksen, Rofe and Fitzer all competed in the Great Plains All-Star game in Bismarck, North Dakota. Miyao, Dirksen and Fitzer all took part in the Home Run Derby Challenge. Rofe was named the All-Star game Great Plains starter after the Stingers clinched the first half.

Catcher Drey Dirksen is batting .325 with 53 hits and 7 home runs. Stone Miyao is batting .327 with 66 hits and 46 RBI. Kevin Fitzer leads the Stingers in four categories. These categories are runs (69), hits (73) and doubles (19). Pitcher Chris Rofe has been the Willmar ace this year pitching 38.2 innings setting down 44 hitters and surrendering just 28 free passes.

All four of these players will look to have an impact on Willmar’s first round playoff matchup against the Saint Cloud Rox.

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 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 30th season, 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.