The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club is proud to announce the return of two more players for 2011 season. Infielder Sam Lind and pitcher Sam Selman, both from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN.) have committed to play for the MoonDogs for the 2011 season.
Lind, a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore, is currently hitting .290 this spring for the Commodores. Despite seeing limited action, Lind has been a clutch hitter, tallying 3 doubles and knocking in 9 RBIs in only 36 plate appearances.
A powerful left-handed bat for the MoonDogs in 2010, Lind finished the season with the team lead in slugging percentage (.527), tied for the team lead in home runs (4) and fourth on the team in batting average (.312).
When asked about returning to the MoonDogs, Lind said, “Mankato is a great place to play. I really enjoyed my host family, teammates, and coaches last summer. I’m really looking forward to another summer with the MoonDogs.”
Manager Mike Orchard echoed Sam’s enthusiasm for his return. “We’re excited to have an impact player like Sam back in the lineup for us” said Orchard. “We expect him to bring the same power from the left side and versatility in the field as he did for us last season.”
Selman, a 6-foot-2-inch, 168-pound sophomore also returns to the MoonDogs for a second season. Selman currently boasts a 1.48 ERA in 6 1/3 innings of work out of the bullpen this spring for the #6 ranked Commodores.
Selman started seven games for the MoonDogs in 2010, and held opponents to a .199 batting average while finishing the season tied for fifth on the team in strikeouts (32). A mid-season pickup for the MoonDogs, Selman went 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA, and held hitters to a .120 batting average in his first five appearances to help earn him a spot on the Northwoods League Postseason All-Star Team.
“Selman is a higher velocity guy at a top-ten school that put in a lot of work for us last season. We’re excited to have him back,” said Orchard. “You don’t see a lot of starters returning in the Northwoods League, let alone an All-Star like Selman.”
Orchard finished, “Whenever you can bring back two great players like Selman and Lind from premium program like Vanderbilt you’re setting yourself up for success”
