WILLMAR - The Willmar Stingers on Wednesday announced the signings of four more players for the 2018 season.
The Stingers signed Logan Bottrell (New Mexico State University), Bryant
Claunch (University of North Alabama), Davis Elliot (University of North Alabama) and Jaxon Hallmark (University of Nebraska).
The signings, coupled with returning players, bring the roster to 10 for the organization's ninth season of play in the Northwoods League.
Bottrell, a junior infielder, begins his first season with the New Mexico State Aggies. The last two seasons Bottrell attended Cochise College (Arizona) where he was a stellar performer for the Apaches. In 2016, as a freshman, Bottrell played in 56 games hitting .320, had 26 runs batted in, 18 doubles, six triples and 24 stolen bases.
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As a sophomore in 2017, Bottrell backed up his great first-year with a .375 average, 11 doubles, 10 triples, 5 home runs
and stole 46 bases in 57 games played. Bottrell was recognized by the National Junior College Athletics Association with an All-American Honorable Mention selection.
Claunch, a sophomore left-handed pitcher, saw limited action in 2017 for the North Alabama Lions. Claunch did make three appearances, two of them starts, posting a 1-1 record in nine total innings. Claunch was able to quiet opponents bats though, only allowing a .219 average to those hitters he faced.
To Stingers fans, the Claunch name should sound familiar: Bryant's older brother, Brantley, pitched for the Stingers during the 2015 season.
Elliot, a junior third baseman, earned second team All-Gulf South Conference honors as a sophomore in 2017, playing in 51 games for the Lions. Elliot proved to be a versatile bat every game for Head Coach Mike Keen, posting a .296 batting average, 14 doubles, 4 triples and a home run.
Hallmark, a freshman infielder, comes to Willmar as the first player from the Cornhusker baseball program. Hallmark played his high school baseball in Midland, TX where he had a career batting average of .377.
