Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Mankato MoonDogs were well represented at the 2011 Northwoods League All-Star festivities at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin on Sunday July 17th and Monday the 18th. Shaun Cooper (Utah), Blake Schwartz (Minnesota St.), Matt Mazzoni (Fresno Pacific) and Nick Judkins (Creighton) all represented the MoonDogs in the All-Star game on Monday night, with Cooper also competing in the Home Run Derby on Sunday night.
Cooper, Judkins, and Schwartz all started for the North Division team. The North Division was coached by the MoonDogs’ coaching staff led by Manager Mike Orchard, Tony Ramos, Matt McCartney and Jason Ramos. The staff earned the privilege of coaching the North Division team at the All-Star game by leading the MoonDogs to the first-half North Division title.
The North Division All-Stars beat the South Division All-Stars 6-3 in front of 2,408 Northwoods League fans Monday night at Witter Field. MoonDog Blake Schwartz was the starting pitcher for the North Division. Schwartz pitched the first inning of the game giving up no hits and no runs and got the win from the mound. Matt Mazzoni (Fresno Pacific) also represented the MoonDogs pitching staff at the All-Star game, pitching 2/3 of an inning and giving up one hit, no runs and striking out one batter.
MoonDog Nick Judkins (Creighton) started the game at second base for the North Division. Judkins was 1-for-2 from the plate, with a double, a run scored and a walk. Cooper started for the North in leftfield and was 0-for-2 from the plate with an RBI.
MoonDogs’ manager Mike Orchard is now 1-1 all time in Northwoods League All-Star games as the manager. Orchard also coached the 2009 Northwoods League North Division All-Star team.
Cooper won the Northwoods League All-Star Home Run Derby on Sunday night. Cooper was one of eight contestants in the Derby and he hit a total of 33 home runs in the three rounds of the derby. Kyle Peterson (Eastern Michigan) represented the host team Wisconsin Rapids in the Derby and went neck-in-neck with Cooper into the final round. Cooper edged Peterson in the final round 12-10 for the Home Run Derby crown.
The MoonDogs will now return to the cozy confines of Franklin Rogers Park for a five game home stand. The MoonDogs will begin the home stand Wednesday night at 7:05 with two games against the St. Cloud River Bats and then three games against the Duluth Huskies. Wednesday night is Baseball Bat Giveaway Night presented by I & S Group and KXLP. The first 300 kids receive a full-size MoonDogs bat.
