Kernels seek success in
North Star League
Catcher and #3 hitter Isaac Nelson will be counted on to
provide off ense this season for the Kernels.
PHOTO BY BRAD SALMEN
The Cokato Kernels, who play their home games at Veterans
Memorial Park at Brooks Lake in Cokato, are looking to
make a name for themselves in the North Star League in their
fourth season of play. Their nickname, the Kernels, references
the community’s strong ties to corn agriculture.
Team: Cokato Kernels
Manager: Nick Corbin, fourth year
D ivision: North Star League Central— Howard Lake,
Rockford, Maple Lake, Delano, Hutchinson, Loretto, Mound,
Maple Plain, Buffalo, Cokato, and Montrose.
State Tournaments: None.
Hall of Famers: None.
2017 fi nish: In the 2017 League Playoffs, the Kernels won
the “pigtail” bracket in two close games, defeating Litchfi eld
3-2 and Montrose-Waverly 4-3. Cokato then lost two games
in the Region 12C playoffs.
Teams to beat: [From NorthStarLeague.org] After
winning the title in 2017, Hutchinson returns as the favorite to
repeat in the Manager’s poll. Buffalo fi nished strong last year,
and with a young core that now is experienced in the playoffs
and state tournament, they should be a strong contender.
Maple Lake is chosen third. The Lakers recent history shows
they can win a lot of games by scoring a lot of runs and their
pitching staff is gaining experience to make them competitive
in tight games too. Howard Lake is picked fourth and as
usual will rely on pitcing and defense to win enough games to
contend for the top spot.
Key returning players: Key veterans returning on the
offensive side include Tom Halonen, Billy Aho, Isaac Nelson,
Ethan Niemela, Luke Morris, and Luke Nelson. The pitching
staff includes Steve Schmitt, Dalton Asplin, Tanner Terning,
and Vinne Pokornowski.
56
Kernels manager Nick Corbin enters his fourth year at the
helm of the Kernels.
PHOTO BY BRAD SALMEN
Being a young team full
of talent and speed, but
without the superstar
players of other teams
in the league, the entire
team will have to step
up and contribute. A
complete team effort is
needed for the Kernels to
win – throwing strikes,
playing good defense, and
wreaking havoc on the
bases.
Key losses from
2017: Losses from the
2017
Kernels
roster
include Nick Main and
Isak Haataja.
Haataja
Key
acquisitions:
2018
The
Kernels
added
Jake
Hendrickson,
Chad
Koivisto
and
Jacob
Schmitz as big additions
this season.
Offi cial Guide to Dassel-Cokato 2018-19
Cokato Kernels
2018 Roster
Player
Zach Martin
Dalton Asplin
Adam Barnaal
Chad Koivisto
Logan Niemela
Luke Nelson
Vinne Pokornowski
Steve Schmitt
Seth Looft
Garret Lueders
Tom Halonen
Billy Aho
Jacob Schmitz
Jake Smith
Tanner Terning
Jake Hendrickson
Ethan Niemela
Isaac Nelson
Jason Lyrek
Luke Morris
Larry Niemela
Tyler Halonen
Manager: Nick Corbin
Pos.
OF
OF, P
INF
INF
P, OF
2B, P
OF/P
P
UTIL
C
INF, P
LF
P/C
UTIL
P
INF
INF
C
UTIL
OF
P
UTIL