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Published On: March 20th, 2023

Written by: Reese Lannon

Three local products, Louis Magers, Matthew Werk, and Tanner Shumski have signed on to join the Mankato MoonDogs roster.

Werk, a graduate of Mankato East High School, and a Freshman Infielder at South Dakota State,  Magers, a two-way Freshman at Minnesota State-Mankato, and Shumski a freshman pitcher at Minnesota State-Mankato, are all 2022 high school graduates from rival high schools located in Mankato.

Werk, a two-way player at East, has switched to an infielder-only with the Jackrabbits. He will get the chance to suit up in his hometown for the Orange and Black this summer. Dating back to his high school days, he was named the team’s MVP as a Junior, going 2-1 with 42 strikeouts in 26 innings on the mound, and hitting at a .309 clip at the plate. Coming out of high school, he was named the #22 overall prospect in the state of Minnesota, as well as the #6 shortstop in the state via Perfect Game 2022.

Magers, who will pitch as well as play some first base and outfield, had a storied high school career and made the Big 9 All-Conference Team, All-Section Team, and All-City Team during his career. He also helped West win the Big 9 Conference Championship as a Junior. Following his senior season, he excelled for Mankato National Post 11 in American Legion, hitting .479 with 31 RBI and 10 stolen bases as well as a 4-0 record and a 0.91 ERA on the mound. He committed to MSU-Mankato to play for his father, Matt, who is the head coach for the Mavericks. He just recently picked up his first collegiate hit against Missouri Western, an RBI double.

Shumski, a native of Mankato who attended West High School, is currently a freshman right-handed pitcher at Minnesota State-Mankato. In his time at West, he helped the team to a Big 9 Conference title, as well as earning the Big 9 Pitcher of the Year award. Over his campaign, he had an 8-1 record in 52 innings with a 1.38 ERA. He also had a very impressive 54 strikeout to eight walk ratio. On the football field, he earned three all-city selection and two all-conference selections, helping West win a sectional championship as a Junior. On the prep circuit, he was the #83 prospect and #30 right-handed pitcher in Minnesota via Perfect Game

You can check out these local products when the MoonDogs open up their season on May 29 at ISG Field against the Thunder Bay Border Cats at 6:35 p.m.