The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce the return of two more players for 2011 season. Catcher Jeremy Rodriguez from California State-Bakersfield (Bakersfield, CA) and infielder Nick Judkins from Creighton (Omaha, NE), have committed to play for the MoonDogs for the 2011 season.

Rodriguez, a 5-foot-8-inch, 185-pound switch-hitting catcher is currently hitting .331 with 10 doubles, two home runs, and 25 RBIs for the Roadrunners this spring. For the MoonDogs in 2010 Rodriguez proved to be valuable both at the plate, and behind it as well. At the plate, the versatile, switch-hitting Rodriguez hit .263 with four doubles, one home run, and knocked in seven RBIs. As a solid backstop for the MoonDogs, Jeremy boasted a .991 fielding percentage.

"J-Rod was a bulldog behind the plate for us last season and did a great job calling games for us," said Field Manager Mike Orchard. "He’s got a great attitude and I know he is enthusiastic about coming back to Mankato this summer."

Judkins a 5-foot-10inch, 180-pound infielder returns to the MoonDogs after playing last summer for the Springfield Sliders in the Prospect League. For the Sliders, Judkins hit .324 with eleven doubles, four triples, two home runs 25 RBIs, and was honored as a league All-Star. A solid, defensive infielder, Nick has started all but one of Creighton’s forty-four games this spring and leads the team in putouts, (403) and fielding percentage (.998).

In the summer of 2009, Nick hit a solid .282 to help the MoonDogs secure their second straight First Half Northern Division Championship.

"Nick is no stranger to summer ball, having played for us in 2009 and in the Prospect League in 2010 where he hit really well," said Orchard. "He’s a grind it out kind of a guy that is going to be there for us when we need him."

The MoonDogs home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 at 7:05 p.m. against the Rochester Honkers will feature special guest Paul Molitor. Season and single game tickets are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information visit our website at www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047