Stingers Add 2 Pitchers, Outfielder to 2016 Roster

May 20, 2016

Willmar, Minn. - The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce that Gage Hutchinson (Daytona State College), Benjamin Sheckler (Cornerstone College) and Daniel Johnson (New Mexico State University) have been added to the 2016 Stingers roster. With these additions the roster for the 2016 season, the Stingers seventh in the Northwoods League, is now compiled of 15 players.

Hutchinson, a sophomore from Port Orange, FL, is a right-handed pitcher at Daytona State College. Hutchinson has posted a 3-1 record so far early on in the 2016 season for the Falcons. His last two starts were complete game victories against South Florida State and Eastern Florida State. Hutchinson garnered Pitcher of the Week honors by the NJCAA for his performance against Eastern Florida State on February 10th. In his four starts, Hutchinson has 26 innings pitched, 21 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA.

Hutchinson spent the summer of 2015 in the Florida Collegiate League where he played for the DeLand Suns. In 12 appearances, Hutchinson posted a 1.55 ERA (4th in the FCL) and had 33 strikeouts in 40.2 innings on the mound. His solid summer earned him a place on the Florida Collegiate League All-Star team and was the starting pitcher for the all-star game.

Sheckler, a junior from Sparta, MI, is a left-handed pitcher at Cornerstone College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sheckler got off to an impressive start to his 2016 season with a stellar performance over the weekend against Bryan College. On Saturday, Sheckler went six strong innings only allowing one hit, with six strikeouts. As a sophomore in 2015, Sheckler led the Golden Eagles in wins (five) and strikeouts (74) over the course of 67.2 innings pitched.

This past summer Sheckler played in the Carolina-Virginia Collegiate League with the Catawba Valley Stars. Sheckler amassed a 9-1 record in 68 innings spanning 15 appearances. His league leading win total, innings pitched, and complete games (six) earned Sheckler a place on the CVCL All-Star team.

Johnson, a junior from Vallejo, CA, is an outfielder at New Mexico State. Johnson got off to a fantastic start this weekend going 6-for-10 at the plate with two home runs, a triple and eight RBIs as the Aggies swept three games from Towson University. The Western Athletic Conference named Johnson the Hitter of the Week because of his performance to start the 2016 season. As a sophomore in 2015, Johnson played in 43 of the Aggies' 53 games. In 151 at-bats, Johnson hit for a .305 average with 16 RBI, 21 walks and eight doubles.

Prior to playing at NMSU, Johnson played at the junior college of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 2014. Johnson saw time in 39 games and had a total of 106 at-bats. With .274 average, Johnson had two home runs, 16 RBI, five doubles and stole 14 bases. Johnson helped lead the Golden Norseman to the NJCAA Region 2 Championship in 2014.

Field Manager Matt Passauer, as well as the Stingers organization, will continue to build the roster for the 2016 season as the off season continues. Season tickets for the 2016 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this press release please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.