Stanke Named 2020 Northwoods League All-Star

Junior catcher Chase Stanke was named a 2020 Northwoods League Postseason All-Star, one of just three catchers and 39 total players to receive the honor.

For perspective, 22 teams participated in a grand total of nearly 500 games across six different geographic pods during the 2020 season.

Competing for the Willmar Stingers, Stanke slashed .310/.360/.470 across 26 games this summer, posting the highest 2020 batting average of any Gopher in the league. He also slugged three home runs, one triple, five doubles, 14 runs and 22 RBI while making just one error behind the plate for Willmar, who finished the season with a 22-20 record.

On two separate occasions, Stanke was named the NWL’s Player of the Night for an outstanding single-game performance. The first of these two accolades came on July 18, when Stanke finished 2-for-3 at the plate with one triple, one double, four RBI and two runs scored to power Willmar past the Mankato Moondogs, 13-3. Several weeks later on Aug. 5, the Gopher backstop again claimed NWL Player of the Night honors after going 4-for-5 with one home run, one double, three RBI and two runs scored.

Stanke is projected to once again handle the lead catching duties for the Gophers in his upcoming junior season.