Zimmerman /
32 | Saturday, March 28, 2026 Elk River Star News
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Elk River, MN 55330.
Sting baseball embraces challenge with veteran roster
Spectrum aims to grow through demanding schedule and contend in Section 6-2A
ERIK NELSON Sports Reporter
Spectrum will rely on a senior-heavy roster in 2026, with seven seniors expected to lead the way after the program captured the 2025 MCAA conference title.
2025 record: 13-6( 10-2 in MCAA; lost to Foley in the Section 6-2A first round)
Head coach: Chris
Ambrose Key returning players: Senior Levi Sims is expected to be a middleof-the-order hitter and one of the team’ s starting
pitchers. Owen Carlson provides versatility across multiple positions and typically hits near the top of the order. Senior Tony Ambrose is a pitcher-outfielder who bats in the heart of the lineup. Senior twins Josh and Lucas Jeske are versatile, line-drive hitters capable of playing multiple positions.
Senior Brandon Simonovich underwent shoulder surgery following a football injury last fall and will not play this spring but will serve as a student manager.
Important games: April 6 at Legacy Christian Academy; April 10 vs. ERA / UCA; April 18 at Mayer Lutheran( doubleheader); April 21 vs. Breck; April 23 vs. Heritage Christian Academy; April 27 at Holy Family Catholic; May 2 at Foley( doubleheader); May
4 vs. West Lutheran; May 7 vs. St. Croix Prep; May 15 vs. North Lakes / LILA; May 18 at Kimball
Coach Chris Ambrose’ s expectations for 2026:“ We have our most challenging schedule yet. Our MCAA league teams will be tough this year. Our nonconference schedule includes a number of road games at some cool venues against tough competition.
“ Our section( 6-2A) is always competitive. We’ re looking to break through there as well. Our goal is to get a little bit better each day. Hopefully, by the end of the season, we’ ll be a lot better. Our program continues to grow. We’ re looking forward to playing a lot of games once the snow completely melts.”
FILE PHOTO
Sting catcher Nick Jeske( left) and senior pitcher Jack Sims were the battery behind Sims’ no-hitter against Triton on May 3, 2025. Sims graduated, but Jeske returns to the Spectrum roster in 2026.
Zimmerman /
From Page 29
vs. Milaca; April 14 at Big Lake; April 20 vs. North Branch; April 21 at Chisago Lakes; April 27 vs. Pine City; April 30 at Monticello; May 5 vs. Big Lake( Staff Appreciation); May 8 vs. Chisago Lakes; May 18 at Spring Lake Park
Coach Chris Riley’ s expectations for 2026:“ We talk with the kids about always being able to compete … doing the little things the right way. Hopefully, we can compete a lot stronger against our conference teams. They love the game of baseball. With that kind of chemistry, hopefully, they put it together and do well on the field.
“ I’ m hoping we can play with most of those teams in the Mississippi 8. Monticello has moved up a class and out of our section. They’ re always tough. Big Lake has a couple Division I-quality pitchers who have signed. St. Francis always has a good squad. Princeton won the conference last year with a young
FILE PHOTO /
Zimmerman catcher Eli Martin stands during practice on May 14, 2025, at the Zimmerman High School baseball field. The junior will be a key bat for the Thunder this season.
squad. They should be strong as well. Hopefully, we can do our thing and worry about us. Hopefully, it transfers into some positives.
“ As far as the section, it’ s almost the same teams as our conference now. We dropped Monticello and added the Annandale-Maple Lake co-op. That will be a different team that we’ ll have to pay attention to. Totino-Grace is in our section as well. It’ s a tough conference and a tough section for us.”