Sam Clay Returns to the Mound for MoonDogs

MANKATO, Minn- The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League is pleased to announce, pitcher Sam Clay will return to the roster in 2014.

Clay, a 6-foot-3-inch 205-pound sophomore from Georgia Tech posted a 2.07 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched last season for the MoonDogs. He also struck out 37 batters.

"We're always looking for good left handed pitching and hopefully Sam can be a good one for us," said Field Manager Mike Orchard. "When he's throwing strikes and in command of the fastball, he can be a real dominant pitcher."

Before joining the MoonDogs last summer, Clay made 23 appearances for Georgia Tech as a freshman and finished the year with a 6.94 ERA. He pitched seven scoreless innings in his final 12 appearances of the season for the Yellow Jackets.

It is yet to be determined whether Clay will be a starting pitcher or reliever for the MoonDogs.

The MoonDogs home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28 at 7:05 p.m. against the Alexandria Blue Anchors at Franklin Rogers Park. Season tickets are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street.

The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.mankatomoondogs.com.