(8/14/06) The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce outfielder Tim Smith and pitcher Steve Salas have been named to the 2006 Northwoods League post-season All-Star team.

Smith, a sophomore who is bound for Arizona State this fall, led the MoonDogs in many offensive categories this season, including batting average, runs, hits, walks, stolen bases, games played and at-bats. His 75 hits were tied for the most in the Northwoods League, his .300 batting average ranked fifth, and his .409 on-base percentage ranked fourth. Smith set a new franchise record by playing in all 67 games, and his 19 stolen bases were two shy of the single-season mark. He was named Northwoods League Player of the Night after a 5-for-6 performance against Thunder Bay on June 18.

Salas, a sophomore from Chandler Gilbert Community College, was the workhorse of the MoonDogs’ pitching staff in 2006, pacing the club with 80 innings pitched, which ranked seventh in the Northwoods League. Salas was a major contributor to the MoonDogs leading the league in complete games, tying for the league lead with three, and he also earned a save in one of his two relief appearances. His 68 strikeouts led the team, and was good for sixth in the league.

The All-Star team was chosen in a vote of League managers, coaches and media contacts from each of the 12 teams in the Northwoods League.