(08/17/05) The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce their post-season All-Stars for the 2005 season. Pitchers Bobby Lewton and Neil Wagner along with right fielder Shane Buschini were selected to represent the MoonDogs as post-season All-Stars by league managers, coaches, and media. All three were also selected in July as mid-season All-Stars when they helped propel the North Division to victory in the 2005 All-Star game played in Alexandria.

The right hander out of Fort Hayes State, Bobby Lewton, finished fifth in the league with a 1.88 ERA. Lewton ended the season 5-2 in 16 appearances, 8 of which he started. He was almost untouchable at home in the friendly confines of Franklin Rogers Park where he went a perfect 4-0 and posted a miniscule 0.66 ERA in 8 games. The MoonDogs starter also demonstrated superb control walking a minute 8 batters in 62.1 innings of work.

The fireballer, Neil Wagner, competed in his second season with the MoonDogs. As the MoonDogs closer this season, Wagner saved a team record 13 games while posting a 2.10 ERA and a 1-0 record in 30 appearances. Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in this year’s MLB amateur draft, the low 90’s hurler whiffed 43 batters in 30 innings while holding his opponents to a mere .156 average against him. Wagner also found Franklin Rogers Park favorable as he recorded an astounding 0.61 ERA while allowing just one earned run in 14.2 innings of work at "The Frank”.

The 6’4”, 225 pound right fielder out of San Diego, Shane Buschini, completed the 2005 season among the league leaders in home runs, with nine bombs, and RBI, tying the team record of 47. In his first week with the MoonDogs, Buschini blasted two grand slams, quickly asserting himself as a premier player in the Northwoods League. Along with his punishing bat, Buschini displayed all the tools needed be a NWL post season All-Star including his speed with 10 steals, and defense demonstrating a rocket arm with pin point accuracy and a stellar glove in the outfield.

The 25 man post-season All-Star team included members from all 12 NWL teams with the second half North Division Champion, Thunder Bay Border Cats, leading the way with 5 selections. Former MoonDogs pitching coach Chris Maliszewski was named "Coach of the Year” as he helped the Madison Mallards to a first half division championship and a 2.31 team ERA. Ryan Rogowski, also of the Mallards, was named NWL "Most Valuable Player” while Chad Miller of Thunder Bay was named "Manager of the Year” in his first season with the Border Cats.