(Mankato, MN)–The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce the signing of two players for the 2009 season. Junior pitcher Ryan Demmin of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Oshkosh, WI), and sophomore pitcher Jimmy Patterson of Central Arizona College (Coolidge, AZ) have signed on to play for the MoonDogs.
Demmin, a 6’1” 210 lb. junior from Oshkosh, WI, is returning for his second summer in Mankato. The left-handed pitcher has a 4-3 record in 10 appearances (7 starts) for the Titans. He has a 3.28 ERA in 68.2 innings pitched, while striking out 54 batters, and throwing one shutout. UW-Oshkosh is currently 23-15 on the season, finishing with a 15-9 record in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, and being named tri-champions along with UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater. WIAC tournament play begins Friday. Last summer for the MoonDogs, Ryan had a 3-6 record with a 4.36 ERA in 64 innings, striking out 52 in 11 appearances (10 starts).
"We’re really excited to have Ryan back in Mankato this summer,” said MoonDogs General Manager Kyle Mrozek. "He was an important part of our team last season, and we’re expecting even bigger things from him on the mound this season.”
Patterson, a 6’0” 195 lb. sophomore from Tempe, AZ, has had an outstanding season for Central Arizona, working under the guidance of Pitching Coach and new MoonDogs Field Manager Mike Orchard. In 14 starts, the lefty has a 10-2 record with a 1.62 ERA in 83.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 105 batters while walking only 20, and thrown seven complete games, five of which were shutouts. He recorded a no-hitter on February 28th, striking out 14 in a 7-0 win over Paradise Valley. Jimmy has also had tremendous success at the plate, batting .360 with 16 doubles, seven home runs, and 41 RBI. He was twice named Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week (March 1st, April 12th), and was recently named first-team all conference, as well as ACCAC Player of the Year. The Vaqueros, ranked #7 in the NJCAA Division I poll, are currently 47-11 on the season (30-8 in conference), and are playing for a regional championship this weekend.
"Jimmy is a special type of player, whose professional approach and attention to detail are unmatched,” said Orchard. "He’s our MVP at Central Arizona this year, and I know that he will come to Mankato, and do great things for this club, I’m excited to have him.”
The Mankato MoonDogs 2009 Home Opener is set for Friday, May 29 at 7:05 PM against the Rochester Honkers. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the team website at
www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs Ticket Office at 507-625-7047.
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