(Mankato, MN)—The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce the signing of three pitchers for the 2006 staff. Returning to the rotation this season is junior Pat Cassa from the University of California-Riverside. Joining him will be junior Dane Secott from Minnesota State University, Mankato along with sophomore John Lowe from Grossmont College in El Cajon, Calif.

Cassa, who joined the MoonDogs near the end of the 2005 season, appeared in 7 games last summer, starting in two. He ended the season with a 2-0 record and an astonishing 22-4 K/BB ratio. In his 22 innings of work, Cassa surrendered only one homerun.

This season at UC-Riverside, mainly working out of the bullpen, Cassa has a 1-1 record in 17 appearances and 49 innings pitched. The crafty-lefty has allowed the fewest runs on the team and is holding opposing hitters to a .253 batting average.

"Pat is going to be the veteran of our staff. As far as the league goes, he knows what to expect and what is going to be expected of him,” MoonDogs head coach Jason Nell said.

Secott, at 6’0” 180 lbs., is an imposing force on the mound. Playing for Coach Dean Bowyer and the Mavericks this season, Secott is posting a 3.25 ERA to go along with his 8-1 record. His 73 punchouts lead the team, while also leading the team in combined shutouts.

Secott’s efforts this season helped the Mavericks to a school record 40-wins and a #1 ranking in the North Central Conference. They held their ranking through last weekend’s conference tournament, which they won, and are now playing in the NCAA Division II Central Regional Tournament.

"I see Dane bolstering our bullpen this season. He knows the game, and plays it very well. He’s got great command of a variety of pitches and will definitely keep hitters on their toes,” Nell said.

Lowe will be another force to be reckoned with on the mound for the MoonDogs this season. A 6’5” and 215 lbs., the right-handed sophomore has had great success for the Grossmont Griffins this season. With a 5-2 record and 2.28 ERA in 67 innings pitched, Lowe ranks third in the Pacific Coast Conference in pitching.

Lowe, who led Grossmont to victory in the final game of their Regional Tournament last weekend, will help anchor the Griffins as they begin play in Southern California’s Super-Regional Tournament this weekend. Next fall, Lowe will be attending Pt. Loma Nazarene College in San Diego.

"John’s going to be an impact player and he’s got the stats to prove it. He’s got three very effective pitches and can throw them in any situation,” Nell said.

The MoonDogs Home Opener is set for June 2, 2006 against the Waterloo Bucks. If you don’t want to miss that game or any MoonDogs action this summer, single-game tickets and 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.

Mankato MoonDogs– Baseball Unleashed!