(Mankato, MN)—The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce the signing of sophomore third baseman Jake Blackwood from Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City, Mo.

Blackwood becomes the second member of the 2006 squad to come to the MoonDogs via MWCC, as returning pitcher Joey Haug has already committed to play as well. MWCC is most widely known for producing the St. Louis Cardinal’s all-star first baseman Albert Pujols, who was signed after the 2000 season while at MWCC.

At 6’1” and 195 pounds, Blackwood has been using all of his size and strength to lead the Centaurs in every offensive category through their first 19 games of the season. Playing in all 19 games, Blackwood is crushing opponents at the plate. His .558 batting average along with his .896 slugging percentage are just the start. He also leads the team in hits(43), runs(29), doubles(10), triples(5), and homeruns(3), all while only striking out twice.
Blackwood had a very impressive series for the Centaurs in their double-header sweep of SW Iowa CC on Sunday. Going 8-9, with six singles, a double, a triple, a stolen base, scoring four runs and tacking on four RBI, his presence at the plate was surely felt.

"Jake is a big, strong kid who will anchor both our defense at third base and our offense hitting somewhere in the middle of the lineup this summer,” MoonDogs head coach Jason Nell said.

After his freshman campaign at MWCC, Blackwood was drafted by the New York Mets in the 40th round of the 2005 draft. Electing not to sign, Blackwood joined the Fayetteville SwampDogs, of the Coastal Plain League, for the summer.

Playing for former Northwoods League All-Decade Team manager and career leader in victories, Darrell Handelsman, Blackwood experienced the rigors of a schedule similar to that of the Northwoods League. While there, he led the SwampDogs in at-bats(172) and homeruns(3), and tied for second in doubles(11) and RBI(18).

Prior to joining the Centuars and Coach Marty Kilgore at MWCC, Blackwood was named as an all-state selection three times in high school, and also garnered honors as one of the top seniors in the state of Missouri in 2004, as selected by Missouri Sports.

The MoonDogs Home Opener is set for June 2, 2006 against the Waterloo Bucks. If you don’t ant to miss that game or any MoonDogs action this summer, season tickets are on sale now as well as group and hospitality tickets. For more information go to www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs ticket office at 507-625-7047.

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