Wingnuts Return Four Core Members

WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts returned four integral members of their 2009 squad, re-signing shortstop Josh Horn, third baseman Michael Thompson, and pitchers Adam Cowart and Justin Dowdy.

Horn opened last season as the Wingnuts' starting second baseman before taking over full-time at shortstop in early June.  The 26-year old was the starting shortstop for the North Division in the All-Star Game and was also named to the American Association's Postseason All-Star Team at the end of the year.  Horn hit .310 with three home runs and 43 RBI while stealing 19 bases without ever being thrown out by an opposing catcher.  The Shelbyville, TN native has been an all-star in each of his first three seasons of professional baseball.  Despite playing shortstop for the first time in his career, Horn's .962 fielding percentage ranked second in the league at the position.

"I am ecstatic to have Josh back for 2010 as our starting shortstop", said Wingnuts' Manager Kevin Hooper.  "He made his home for our ballclub at shortstop and was our table setter at the top of the order last year.  Josh is a true "gamer" in every sense of the word."

Thompson finished second in the league with 32 doubles, including 20 in his final 40 games.  The Covina, CA native led the American Association in doubles during the 2008 campaign during which he was an all-star.  Thompson shook off a slow start and shined with the bat in the second half of the season, hitting .308 with 26 RBI over his last 48 games.  Also 26-years old, Thompson led the league in fielding percentage among third baseman at .967.

"Mike will be vital, as he always has, in us being successful.  'Mikey' is one of, if not the best defensive players in our entire league.  He takes a lot of pride in what he does on the field and I'm excited for even bigger and better things from him for the upcoming season."

Cowart returns for his second season in Wichita after ranking fifth in the league with a 3.05 ERA.  The right-hander went 8-5 in 17 appearances, improving his lifetime won-loss record to a remarkable 42-22 in four professional seasons.  Originally from Houston, TX, Cowart walked just 19 in 100.1 innings pitched last year, and has averaged just 1.57 walks per nine innings throughout his career.  The 26-year old finished first in the league with three complete games.  On June 27th, Cowart tossed the first nine-inning complete game shutout of his career, limiting St. Paul to three hits the night before the Wingnuts clinched the North Division's first half.

"Adam is another huge piece of the puzzle in our club being successful.  He is a grinder that competes to his fullest when he is on the mound.  He pitches to contact to induce a lot of ground balls and lets our good defense play behind him.  He will once again be somewhere at the top of our rotation fulfilling the role of being one of our aces along with being a great leader for all of our pitchers."

Dowdy enters his 10th season of professional baseball after joining the Wingnuts in a deadline deal last August.  Dowdy made the South Division All-Star team with the Shreveport-Bossier Captains and finished fourth in the league with 17 saves and a composite 2.25 ERA.  The 26-year old lefty reached AAA in 2008 with the Oakland Athletics organization.  A native of San Diego, CA, Dowdy has more strikeouts (552) than innings pitched (546.0) in his career.

"Justin will be our closer again this year and as a veteran on our team, he will be another great leader for our staff.  He brings lots of experience and knowledge that will only help us in being successful.  I am excited as can be to spend a full season with him as our ninth-inning guy.  Justin has a chance to do a lot of special things in a Wingnut uniform."

The Wingnuts also announced that left-handed pitcher Brad Davis will start the season on the inactive list as he recovers from offseason surgery to his pitching shoulder.  Wichita now has 17 players under contract for 2010.

The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on May 13th at St. Paul.  Wichita's home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Pheasants.  Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now.  For more information, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS.

-Wingnuts-