(Mankato, MN)—The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce the return of two pitchers from the 2005 staff. Sophomore Joey Haug of Maple Woods Community College and sophomore Matt Mossey from North Dakota Sate University have both signed to play a second season with the MoonDogs.

After coming off a stellar season at MWCC in the spring of 2005, where he led the team in games started (16), innings pitched (70.66) and strikeouts (54), Haug made an immediate impact with the MoonDogs. Making his debut in a relief role in just the second game of the year and then turning around for his first start just two days later, his bounce back ability was an added bonus for the MoonDogs staff early in the season.

After a brief adjustment period to the Northwoods League, Haug continued to impress the MoonDogs coaching staff and earn a spot on the 2006 roster. Finishing the year tied for third in appearances (23), second in innings pitched (71) and third in strikeouts (61) Haug has proven he will be a key member of the pitching staff this season.

"Joey’s experience and his high energy attitude culminated with his ability and intelligence to get guys out, really makes him an asset and I look forward to coaching him for another season,” MoonDogs first-year head coach Jason Nell said.

Another key member of the MoonDogs bullpen in 2005 was freshman Matt Mossey. Originally signed as a shortstop out of NDSU where his freshman campaign was more offensive minded, he led the Bison in batting average(.294), at-bats (194), hits (57) and was second in runs scored (29), the MoonDogs saw great potential in his arm strength on the mound.

Flirting with speeds in the upper 80’s and low 90’s, Mossey moved in to a setup and relief role for the MoonDogs bullpen. Averaging just under 1.5 innings per appearance, Mossey struck out 13 batters in 16 innings of work. His ability to eat-up the middle innings and keep hitters off balance before turning things over to Kevin Regan or closer Neil Wagner, who was a fellow Bison teammate as well, helped in bringing the MoonDogs to their most successful season on the field.

"Matt’s greatest asset is his ability is to be versatile. He can play up the middle for us and can be the guy on the mound and that’s where we see a majority of his playing time will be this summer, on the mound. Matt really understands his role on the team, is very self-disciplined and embodies all the characteristics of a team player,” Nell said.

The MoonDogs begin play on June 1, 2006 against the Waterloo Bucks in Waterloo, IA before returning home for Opening Night in Mankato on Friday, June 2. For your chance to be at opening night and all the other MoonDogs home games, season tickets are on sale now as well as group and hospitality tickets. For more information please go to www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs ticket office at 507-625-7047.