Alexandria Beetles 2012 Season Preview

Published on May 17, 2012 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Beetles News Release


Alexandria, MN - Coming off their most successful year on the field in 2011, the Alexandria Beetles will begin their 12th season of play in the Northwoods League on Wednesday, May 30th as they host the Thunder Bay Border Cats at 7:05 pm.

Last season, the team made the Northwoods League playoffs for just the second time in team history and with head coach Drew Saberhagen at the helm and one of the deepest talent pools in team history, the Beetles are optimistic that they can contend for their first ever League title.

Among the2012 Alexandria Beetles are several big-name players from power Division I conferences. Stephen McGee, a sophomore catcher, has started all 52 games for No. 2 Florida State. Ben Moore, a catcher at the University of Alabama, will join the Beetles fresh off an impactful freshman campaign in Tuscaloosa where he is second on the team in hitting at .345 and third on the team with 30 RBIs.

Leading the pitching staff are Anthony Bazzani, a junior from Eastern Kentucky who was 4-2 with a 1.66 ERA for the Beetles last summer and St. Cloud State's Shawn Riesgraf, who has a 1.83 ERA for the Huskies in 15 appearances.

Three Minnesota natives will wear the Alexandria purple this summer - Riesgraf, from Chaska, Matt Dietman, a freshman pitcher from St. Cloud who plays for St. Cloud Tech, and Alexandria's own Dalton Leuschke, who has hit .314 in 60 games for Des Moines Community College.

With the talented squad competing for a Northwoods Championship and a summer of exciting promotions lined up, the experience at historic Knute Nelson Park is certain to be memorable for the entire family.

Opening night will feature magnet schedules for the first 300 fans along with Vegas Night with a chance to win $10,000 by signing up at Pete's County Market.

On the first weekend in June, Saturday June 2nd against the Duluth Huskies is Beetles Orange-Out Night with the first 500 fans receiving complementary orange t-shirts compliments of NAPA. Sunday June 3rd will feature a parade down Broadway at 1 pm followed by a Beetles game afterwards at 3:05.

Saturday, June 23rd is designated as Paint the Park Pink Night to raise awareness for breast cancer. Players will wear pink jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game. The jerseys are being sponsored by Integrity Title.

Other summer highlights include Friday July 20th, Super Hero Night with Batman at the ballpark with 3M Duct Tape Night, Saturday July 21st is Summer St. Patty's Night, and Friday August 3rd is Allen Craig Bobble Head Night to honor the former Beetle who won the 2011 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Every Friday home game will feature postgame fireworks.

For more information or to purchase Alexandria Beetles tickets, call 320-763-8151 or visit our website at www.alexandriabeetles.com.

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Northwoods League Stories from May 17, 2012


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