(Mankato, MN)The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce the signing Neil Wagner of North Dakota State University.

Wagner (6’0” 195 lbs.) in just his sophomore season at NDSU, has established himself as one of the most dominating pitchers in Division II College Baseball. At 6-0, with an NDSU school record 11 saves and a miniscule ERA of 0.50, Wagner has been nearly untouchable this year.

His fastball, clocked in the mid 90s, has allowed his strikeout to walk ratio go above 4/1 on the year. Opposing hitters have managed to hit just .171 off of him this season and over his last 29.66 innings opponents have only scored only 1 run off of the Eden Prairie, Minn., native. Wagner has allowed only two earned runs all year, while leading the North Central Conference in appearances with 27.

During one stretch this season, Wagner appeared in 17 games throwing 19 scoreless innings before his streak was broken. Following that one run allowed, he started a new streak going 10 more consecutive scoreless innings.

"Neil is a flame-thrower. He is the legitimate closer the MoonDogs need to shut the door on opponents this summer,” said MoonDogs skipper Brad Rupert.

In the classroom, Wagner is shinning just as bright as on the field, as he was named to the Academic All-NCC team on Wednesday, for his 3.92 GPA while majoring in biological science. Also named to the All NCC team was former MoonDogs catcher Chris Baso, who is leading the Bison in hitting this season with a .404 average.

Wagner will be re-joined with Eden Prairie High School teammate Cole DeVries (U of M) this summer in Mankato. At EPHS, Wagner was given All Conference Honors his junior year and named the Southern Hennepin Pitcher of the Year in his senior season.

Going for their first conference title since 1973, Wagner and the NDSU Bison started the NCC Tournament Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in Grand Forks, against Minnesota State University Mankato, in good fashion winning 9-2.

MoonDogs Mania is here with opening day just 27 days away. Get your season tickets or single game tickets by calling the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047. Looking for MoonDogs merchandise? Checkout www.mankatomoondogs.com for all your MoonDogs needs.