Mankato, Minn- The Mankato MoonDogs are pleased to welcome back three former MoonDogs this summer, Thomas Bruss, Nolan Pender, and Luke Young are back for the 2022 MoonDogs season at ISG Field.
Thomas Bruss- Augustana University 
Thomas, is a native of Rochester, Minnesota and a right handed senior pitcher at the University of Augustana and will be back in Mankato for his fourth season as a MoonDog. He is an astounding 6’8, 280Lbs, and in his most recent season as a Junior for the Vikings he appeared in 16 games on the mound and logged 24 strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched. In the 2021 season for the MoonDogs Tomas pitched 27.2 innings, allowing 11 earned runs and hoisting a 3.58 ERA. Thomas can not wait for the 2022 season to get underway!
Nolan Pender- Bellarmine
Nolan, is back for his third season as a MoonDog, previously in the 2021 regular season he appeared in 13 games, starting in 9 of those games and ultimately finishing the season off with a 8-2 record. He pitched a total of 55.2 innings allowing just 15 earned runs and completing the season with a 2.43ERA. His incredible performance’s earned him the honor of being a 2021 Northwoods League All-Star. Currently, Nolan is in his Junior Season at the University of Bellarmine and will be rejoining the MoonDogs pitching staff as there season concludes.
Luke Young- Oklahoma State
Luke will be back on the bump pitching for his second season as a MoonDog, currently he is a right handed 6’2, 180lbs [pitcher for Midland Community College but just recently committed to play Division 1 baseball at the University of Oklahoma State back in November of 2021. In his first season on the MoonDogs pitching staff Young was unstoppable in the regular season. The young gun made 15 appearances, starting 7 games, posting a 5-1 record and a 3.22 ERA. One of his best performances of his 2021 season came against the Duluth Huskies in a the July outing at Wade Stadium in Duluth where he posted 7 shutout innings in the 1-0 team win.
The 21st season of MoonDogs baseball begins with the Duluth Huskies coming to Mankato on May 30th at ISG Field.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 270 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (LAD), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.