Mankato MN)– The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club is proud to announce four pitchers from the 2003 MoonDogs team will be returning. Will Krout (Sonoma State), Brent Jackson (U of Iowa), Warren Rosebrock (Sacramento State) and Philip Springman (Cal State LA) have all committed and are excited for the 2004 season.

Krout, who is now junior in his first year at Sonoma State, was a mid-season and post-season All Star for the MoonDogs in 2003 and will most likely be the number one starter in 2004. "He is arguably one of the most dominant pitchers in the league,” GM Kyle Mrozek said, "and he’s got the numbers to prove it.”

Krout tied for second in the league with eight wins and ranked third with a miniscule 1.50 ERA in his league leading 96 innings pitched. He also led the league in complete games with seven and shutouts with three.

Brent Jackson, a 6-7, 215 pound right-hander and another of the starters the MoonDogs are anxiously awaiting the return of, started 11 games last summer, tied for second on the team. For the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Jackson appeared in 12 games in the 2003 season

"He’s a big kid with a lot of potential which we know will be brought out through the excellent coaching staff they have there,” said Mrozek in reference to the Hawkeyes new head coach Jack Dahm. Dahm spent the last 18 years at Creighton University in the Bluejays baseball program compiling a school record 286 wins along the way.

Warren Rosebrock, a late-season acquisition for the MoonDogs last summer, pitched over 30 innings in just five starts without allowing a single homerun. Rosebrock, who is a junior, is currently playing for the Sacramento State Hornets, (Calif.) and being coached by former Mankato MoonDogs head coach Rusty McLain (2002).

The Hornets opened the 2004 season last weekend taking two of three games from San Diego State (Calif.) and head coach, former major leaguer, Tony Gywnn. Rosebrock threw a few innings in one of those Hornet victories, a 10-8 win on Jan. 31.

Last but not least, MoonDogs projected closer Philip Springman from Cal State LA will be back as well.
Springman appeared in 13 games for the MoonDogs in 2003, all in relief. He averaged 1.14 strike outs per inning and less than 1 hit per inning pitched. Last year for the Golden Eagles, Springman dominated as a closer with 10 saves on the year and led the team with lowest opponent batting average at .238.

"Philip thrives on close games. His relishes pressure situations especially when the game is on the line,” MoonDogs head coach Brad Rupert said from his California office at Shasta Community College.

The MoonDogs 2004 season is under way and you can be a part of it from the start. Season tickets are now on sale and reservations for the Dog Pound (party deck) are being taken daily. Early edition pocket schedules are available at the MoonDogs ticket office. To find out more information call 507-625-7047.