(Mankato, MN) – The Mankato MoonDogs, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce that both sophomore third baseman Nate Hanson from the University of Minnesota and junior pitcher Matt Mossey from North Dakota State University, were named 2007 Rawlings Silver Glove award winners for the Northwoods League.
Each season the Rawlings Silver Glove is awarded annually to the NWL’s "Finest in the Field,” recognizing the League’s top fielders at each position. The winners are selected based on final official fielding statistics compiled by League statistician Sports Ticker, a Cheshire, Connecticut based sports statistical service company.
In his second season with the MoonDogs, Hanson led Northwoods League third baseman with a .957 fielding percentage, committing only 7 errors in 162 chances.
This marks the sixth time Hanson has either been recognized or received an award for his spectacular play this season. In addition to the Rawlings Silver Glove award, other recognition includes North Division All-Star, All-Star Game "Star of Stars,” Postseason All-Star, Silver Slugger award (best batting average), and ranked eighth best prospect in the Northwoods League by Perfect Game Crosschecker, a national baseball publication.
Because of a tie at the pitcher position, both Mossey and Buddy Baumann of the St. Cloud River Bats will receive the award. In his third year with the MoonDogs, Mossey did not commit a single error, converting all 22 chances in 16 games pitched. He was just as dominant pitching to wrap up the 2007 season as well. In his last two games, Mossey finished with 18 innings pitched, 10 hits, one run, five walks and 12 strikeouts.
The MoonDogs were one of just three teams, St. Cloud and Duluth being the others, to have two players that earned the honor. The rest of the 2007 Rawlings Silver Glove Award Winners are:
Catcher – Eric Nielsen, Madison Mallards, Purdue University
First Base – Tony Plagman, Duluth Huskies, Georgia Institute of Technology
Second Base – Joe Bonadonna, Duluth Huskies, University of Illinois
Third Base – Nate Hanson, Mankato MoonDogs, University of Minnesota
Shortstop – Travis Hendrix, Waterloo Bucks, University of Northern Iowa
Outfielder – Josh Upchurch, Alexandria Beetles, Florida Gulf Coast University
Outfielder – DJ Belfonte, St. Cloud River Bats, University of Nebraska
Outfielder – Pat Colwell, Eau Claire Express, San Diego State University
Pitcher (tie) – Matt Mossey, Mankato MoonDogs, North Dakota State University
Pitcher (tie) – Buddy Baumann, St. Cloud River Bats, Missouri State University
The MoonDogs broke yet another total attendance mark with almost 40,000 fans for the 2007 season. Be sure to reserve your seat with the team next season. Limited premium seats and all other season ticket packages for 2008 will go on sale soon. Please check back to www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs Office at 507-625-7047 for more information.
