MANKATO, Minn.- The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is excited to announce the commitment of pitcher Connor Strain and infielder Boomer Synek for the 2014 MoonDogs season.
Strain, a 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound sophomore made eight appearances for the Evansville Purple Aces last season, including one start. Strain, a right-handed pitcher, was a two-sport athlete and three-year baseball letter winner at North Central High School.
"Connor can throw in the upper 80's and has a lot of life in the fastball," Field Manager Mike Orchard said. "He's a strong pitcher and talented player from Evansville."
Strain was named All-State, All-Conference, and team MVP his senior season posting a 1.30 ERA in 60 innings pitched. A year earlier he had a 1.54 ERA in 70.1 innings on the mound and led the Thunderbirds to a runner up finish in the State Finals.
Synek, a 5-foot 9-inch, 185-pound junior transferred to Evansville after playing two seasons for Oakton Community College. He batted .367 as a sophomore for the Raiders racking up three home runs, 17 doubles, 52 RBI, and 56 runs scored. This earned him a selection to the All-Illinois Skyway Conference First Team.
"Boomer plays second base. He can play third and pinch hit for us as well," Orchard said.
As a freshman, Synek hit .439 with 56 RBI, 72 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases to earn ALL-ISC First Team honors. His brothers, Michael and Trevor, both played professional Lacrosse for the Chicago Outlaws.
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.
