MANKATO, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce that MoonDogs Outfielder and 2011 Northwoods League MVP Shaun Cooper (Utah) has been named Perfect Game USA’s Summer Collegiate Player of the Year. He also joins fellow 2011 MoonDog Blake Schwartz (Oklahoma City) on Perfect Game’s Summer All-American 1st team.
Cooper tore up the Northwoods League this year setting a new single season home run record with 20. He broke the 16 year old record of 19 held by Jason Washam (Rochester ‘94). In addition, he led the Northwoods League in total bases (163) and extra base hits (38). He also set single season MoonDogs’ records for RBIs (61), runs (55), and triples (4). Cooper was also named Perfect Game’s top rising senior as he returns to Utah with high hopes for next year’s Major League Baseball Draft. When asked about his accolades this summer Shaun had this to say "Having success in a simulated minor league shows me that I can handle the day to day grind of playing everyday and performing well in diverse situations. This summer has definitely boosted by confidence coming back to my senior year, Knowing that I can perform well against some of the best college players around the country is something to be proud of.”
Schwartz retuned for his second summer in Mankato and he did not disappoint going 6-1 for the MoonDogs this season. He led the Northwoods League with an astonishing 1.71 ERA over 63 innings pitched. The MoonDogs ace also posted an incredible 1.04 WHIP and equally as impressive 5-1 strike out to walk ratio. Like is 2011 teammate, Cooper, Schwartz wasn’t drafted in last years MLB Draft but he hopes to change that next year after an award winning and confidence boosting summer in the Northwoods League. "Awards like these definitely affect my confidence. Knowing that I can compete with the best talent out there really gives me the confidence that I need for the upcoming MLB draft.”
The MoonDogs also had a very successful year from the business perspective which prompted MoonDogs owner Joe Schwei to say "We would like to thank everyone in the Mankato area for the amazing support once again this summer and for helping us have a phenomenal 10th season of MoonDogs baseball" MoonDogs merchandise will be available throughout the winter at the MoonDogs ticket office located at 1221 Caledonia St. For more information please go online to mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at (507) 625-7047
