(Mankato, MN) – The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce that a former and a current MoonDog have been honored for stellar play. Former MoonDog outfielder Shane Buschini has been named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year. In addition to Buschini’s award-winning season, incoming MoonDog Evan Porter was recognized as the NCAA Division II Central Regional Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Buschini posted big numbers for the University of San Diego, which has been ranked as high as 5th in the Baseball America Top 25 and is looking to make a run to the NCAA College World Series. The two-time All-WCC first team selection registered a team-high batting average of .352, while blasting a conference-high 13 home runs and driving in 55 runs. In conference play, the senior raised it to another level, hitting .418 with 25 RBI in just 21 games. For his career with the MoonDogs, Buschini hit .236 with 18 doubles, 2 triples, a team record 12 home runs, 62 RBI, and 56 runs in two seasons.

In addition to Buschini’s big season, current MoonDog infielder Evan Porter was named the NCAA Division II Central Regional Tournament MVP. The University of Nebraska-Omaha star was 8-for-17 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI. Porter led the Mavericks past the three top-ranked teams in the tournament to send Nebraska-Omaha to the College World Series for the first time in school history. The sophomore was also named to the All-Conference and All-Region teams as well last week after hitting .352 with 12 home runs and a team-high 60 RBI.

Notes: The MoonDogs have released a pair of Midland College fielders, infielder Logan Forest and outfielder Aaron Powell, as well as Sacred Heart infielder Jeff Hanson due to injuries that were sustained during the collegiate baseball season.

The MoonDogs Home Opener is set for June 1, 2007 against the defending Northwoods League champion, Rochester Honkers. Mankato will also be the host of the 13th annual Northwoods League All-Star Game on July 11, 2007. To be part of all the MoonDogs action this summer, single game 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.