MANKATO- Minn. The Mankato MoonDogs, a member of the Northwoods League will welcome back another familiar player to the 2017 summer roster. Outfielder Jake Shepski will join the team after his junior season at Notre Dame. Shepski was the 2016 Northwoods League MVP and was in a critical component to the MoonDogs regular season success and postseason appearance last summer. He played 68 games for the MoonDogs, posting a .333 AVG with 52 runs, a league leading 21 doubles, 11 home runs (6th), and 55 RBI (7th). Shepski also drew 56 walks, good for 2nd in the NWL and had a pair of triples.

Shepski's proven All-Star ability will aid the MoonDogs outfield, which currently includes Notre Dame teammate Jake Johnson, Garrison Schwartz (Grand Canyon), Zac Wiley (Bellarmine), and Kenton Crews (Evansville). In addition to his mid-season All-Star selection, Shepski was also a post-season All-Star and a select participant for the Major League dream showcase. He was awarded the Rawlings Big Stick Award, which is given to the player at each position who leads the league in batting average.

For the Fighting Irish this spring, Shepski has started 45 of 46 games, scoring 17 runs with 2 home runs. In 2016, Shepski pitched out of the bullpen nine times and had a 4.13 ERA including 12 strikeouts and 1 walk. As a team, Notre Dame is 23-23 in 2017. Listed at 6'2", 196 lbs., Shepski is a switch hitter and has the ability to play both infield and outfield position as well as pitch. He is a native of Lockport, Illinois and is majoring in business at Notre Dame.

MoonDogs home opener is scheduled for May 31st at 7:05pm at Franklin Rogers Park. Tickets can be purchased online at http://northwoodsleague.com/mankato-moondogs/ or by calling (507)-625-7047.

##

The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd 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 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visitwww.mankatomoondogs.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the MoonDogs as your favorite team.

###