A Look At The 2023 Stingers Season

In 2023, there are thirteen Stingers that were also on the 2022 roster. In the field the 2nd base spot will stay the same with Scott Anderson (Point Loma Nazarene/ Carlsbad, CA.) and Kyle Payne (Northwest Nazarene/ Bellingham, WA.).

Behind the plate will be the Augustana Product Drey Dirksen (Augustana/ Willmar, MN.) and Grayson Tarlow (California State University, Northridge/ Orange, CA.)

Rounding out the infield you will have Aidan Byrne (Minnesota State Mankato/ Eagan, Minn.) who will be playing shortstop.

The roster also includes five right handers on the mound in Aidan Baumgart (North Dakota State/Willmar, MN.), Jordan Sagedahl (South Dakota State/ Olivia, MN.) Nolan Kemp (University of St. Thomas/ Chaska, MN) Steven Brooks (California Polytechnic University/ Elk Grove, CA.) and Veteran Jack Zigan (Minnesota State Mankato/ Eden Prairie, MN.), Michael Chevalier (Northern State University/ Sioux Falls, SD.) and Chris Rofe (Mount Marty University/ Yankton, SD.). The lone lefty will be Mitch Gutknecht (Minnesota State Mankato/ Stillwater, MN.)

Newcomers:

The Stingers have 32 new faces traveling down Highway 12 this season. Nineteen of these new faces will be on the hill this year.

The new arms include Matthew Bachelier (Scottsdale Community College/Nogales, AZ.), Clay Beaumont (Northeast Community College/ Tekamah, NE.), Gino Cozzi (University of Montevallo/ Downers Grove, Ill), Kris Hockenson (University of Minnesota/ St. Louis Park, MN.), Ben Irsfield (Minnesota State Mankato/ Sioux Falls SD.), Johnny Zayas (Northwest Nazarene University/ Williamsport, PA.), Luke Siegle (Gustavus Adolphus/ Blaine, MN.) Jacob Torres (California Polytechnic/ Bella Vista, CA.), Alex Clemons (South Dakota State University/ Bettendorf, IA.), Nico Felber (Coppin State University/ Reading, PA.), Ryan Wiltse (St Mary’s- California/ Fresno, CA.), Tyler Bryan (Northwestern State University/ Beckville, TX.), Alex Vorpahl (Alexandria Tech College/ Sartell, MN.), Will Whelan (University of Minnesota/ Circle Pines, MN.), Ethan Stade (Minnesota State Mankato/ New Ulm, MN.), Cole Colleran (Point Loma Nazzarene/ Solara Beach, CA.), Ray Cebuski (Point Loma Nazzarene, Chula Vista, CA.), Rylen Bayne (University of Hawaii/ South Kitsap, WA.) and Nate Zyzda (Northeast Community College/ Sioux City, IA.).

Eight of these players will also fill out the Stingers infield Aaron Castillas (California Polytechnic State University/Corona, CA) and Miyao Stone (University of Hawaii/ Hilo, HI), Kasten Furr (New Orleans University/Ruston, LA), and Jack Hines (Augustana University/Lombard, IL) will be four of the middle infielders, Dallas Duarte (University of Hawaii/ Hilo, HI) and Zach Stroh (Minnesota State Mankato/ Elk River, MN.) will be behind the plate, the first baseman will be Kevin Fitzer (California State University Northridge/ Aliso Viejo, CA) and Jackson Hjelle (University of Minnesota Crookston/ East Grand Forks, MN.).

Rounding out the Stingers roster will be five outfielders in Parker Stinson (Indiana State University/ Yorktown, IN.), Gabe Swanson (University of Nebraska/ Johnston, IA), Luke Williams (University of Alabama/ Tuscaloosa, AL.), Antonio Gleaton (Kennesaw State University/ Atlanta, GA.) and Jonathon Lane (University of North Alabama/ Fort Lauderdale, FL).

Skipper returning:

Freddy Smith returns to Bill Taunton Stadium for his second season with the Stingers. Smith brought Willmar to the Northwoods League playoffs last season and finished 2022 with an impressive 48-20 regular season record. The team would fall to the Duluth Huskies in the NWL playoffs.

Bill Taunton Stadium at Baker Field

This will be the 14th season that Willmar will play a Northwoods League season in Bill Taunton Stadium at Baker Field. The state-of-the-art stadium opened in 1979. The Stingers inaugural season was in 2010 when the franchise was established. This season is not just special for Willmar but also the league with 2023 being the 30th anniversary for the Northwoods League who started play in 1993.

2022 Playoff Recap:

The Willmar Stingers fell in the NWL playoffs to the Duluth Huskies in the Great Plains Championship game. The Stingers beat the defending Northwoods League Champs the Saint Cloud Rox to get to that championship contest For Willmar, statistical leaders included Kyle Payne who batted .298 and tallied 25 hits.

On the mound, Jack Habeck (Saint Cloud State University) and Joe Ihli (Northwest Nazarene University) led the way for the Stingers. Habeck toed the rubber in 10 out of 11 games and posted a 2.77 ERA with 38 K’s in 68.1 innings of work.

Ilhi was named Minnwest Technology Player of the game in Game 3 of the Rox series, tallying the save in two innings pitched and had one strikeout.

Great Plains Division:

The 2023 slate against divisional opponents (Home and Road Splits are viewed below):

Eau Claire Express-

Home: May 31-June 1, July 6-7 @ Bill Taunton Stadium

Road: August 5-6, August 11-12 @ Carson Park

Bismarck Larks-

Home: June 15-16, June 28-29 @ Bill Taunton Stadium

Road: June 2-3, August 3-5, @ Bismarck Municipal Park

Mankato Moondogs-

Home: June 8, June 12 @ Bill Taunton Stadium

Road: June 9, June 13, June 17-18, July 8-9 @ ISG Field

Minot Hot Tots-

Home: July 12-14, August 7-10 @ Bill Taunton Stadium

Road: June 4-5, June 19-21 @ Corbett Field

Minnesota Mudpuppies-

Home: June 26-28, July 15-16 @ Bill Taunton Stadium

Rochester Honkers-

Home: July 18-19 @ Bill Taunton Stadium

Road: June 24-25 @ Mayo Field

St. Cloud Rox-

Home: June 6-7, July 10, July 24 @ Bill Taunton Stadium

Neutral: June 22 @ Knute Nelson Memorial Park
Road: July 11, July 20-21, July 26-28 @ Joe Faber Field

Waterloo Bucks-

Home: July 29-30 @ Bill Taunton Stadium
Road: June 10-11 @ Riverfront Stadium

Thunder Bay Border Cats-

Home: July 22-23 @ Bill Taunton Stadium

Road: July 1-2 @ Port Arthur Stadium