(7/8/06) The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce that four players have been named to the Northwoods League’s 2006 North Division All-Star team. This year, pitchers Johnnie Lowe, Dane Secott and Steve Salas join outfielder Tim Smith as MoonDogs to receive All-Star honors.

Lowe, a sophomore who will be attending Point Loma Nazarene in the fall, posted a 3-1 record in the first half of the season. His 0.90 ERA ranks third in the Northwoods League, and his seven walks in 40 innings pitched are the lowest of any member of the MoonDogs’ rotation.

Secott, a junior from Minnesota State-Mankato, leads the Northwoods League with a 0.81 ERA despite winning just once. He did not allow an earned run in four consecutive starts from June 9-30, a span of 32.2 innings.

Salas, a sophomore from Chandler Gilbert Community College, has been a staff workhorse for the MoonDogs, leading the Northwoods League with 47.1 innings pitched. Salas has won two games in seven starts, and also earned a save in his lone relief appearance.

Smith, a sophomore who is bound for Arizona State this fall, leads the Northwoods League with 42 hits. The only MoonDogs player to appear in every game this season, his .313 average and .396 on-base percentage also rank among the league leaders. Smith earned Northwoods League Player of the Night honors after a 5-for-6 performance against Thunder Bay on June 18.

The 2006 Northwoods League All-Star Game will take place at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12 at Copeland Park, home of the La Crosse Loggers. The All-Star festivities get underway the night before at 6:00 p.m. when 12 players, including the MoonDogs’ Tim Smith, will participate in the Festival Foods Home Run Derby. Country band Madison County will perform following the Derby.

The APAC Customer Services All-Star Luncheon Gala, honoring this year’s All-Stars, will kick off the events on Wednesday at the La Crosse Center Arena at 11:00 a.m. This year’s featured guest speaker will be Bob Brenly, who managed the Arizona Diamondbacks to the 2001 World Series title and is currently a television analyst for the Chicago Cubs.

This year’s All-Stars were chosen in a vote of field staff and radio/media contacts from each of the 12 teams in the Northwoods League.