04/06/2007 10:08 AM - FARGO, N.D. – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks have re-signed 2006 Northern League Finals MVP RHP Mark Michael and signed RHP Gerrit Simpson, LHP Ryan Ariail, LHP Adam Rowe, LHP Matthew Krohe and RHP Dane Renkert for the 2007 season, the Northern League club announced today. All six players will be in Fargo when the RedHawks open training camp on May 3.

Michael, 26, returns to the RedHawks after going 9-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 21 games (16 starts) in 2006. In 101.0 innings, Michael allowed 52 runs (47 earned) on 95 hits. He struck out 79 batters and walked 49. Michael threw a two-hit shutout in Game Four of the Northern League Finals to clinch the title for Fargo-Moorhead and earn MVP honors. He was also selected to pitch in the 2006 Northern League All-Star Game.

Simpson, 27, joins the RedHawks after pitching for the Huntsville (Ala.) Stars of the Southern League (AA). He appeared in 51 games (one start), going 3-3 with a 2.61 ERA. Simpson pitched 76.0 innings, allowing 27 runs (22 earned) on 62 hits. He struck out 59 batters and walked 24. Simpson was originally selected by the Colorado Rockies in the fifth round of the 2001 draft out of the University of Texas.

Ariail, 22, made his professional debut with the Traverse City (Mich.) Beach Bums of the Frontier League in 2006. He appeared in 11 games, allowing 12 runs (seven earned) on 16 hits in 14.2 innings. Ariail struck out 21 batters and walked seven. Following the season, he had his contract purchased by the Baltimore Orioles organization.

Rowe, 25, will be entering his fourth season of professional baseball after spending three seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization. Rowe was 3-2 with a 5.10 ERA in 36 relief appearances in 2006 for the High Desert (Calif.) Mavericks of the California League (A). He struck out 55 batters and walked 16 in 60.0 innings pitched.

Krohe, 23, comes to Fargo-Moorhead after two seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks chain. He spent 2006 with the Missoula (Mont.) Ospreys of the Pioneer League (R). Krohe appeared in 22 games, going 3-2 with a 2.49 ERA. He pitched 43.1 innings, allowing 18 runs (12 earned) on 41 hits. Krohe recorded 38 strikeouts and walked 18 batters.

Renkert, 25, was 5-8 with a 3.40 ERA and six saves in 48 games for the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League (A) in 2006. He pitched 76.2 innings, allowing 44 runs (29 earned) on 74 hits. Renkert struck out 62 batters and walked 23 and allowed just three home runs.

REDHAWKS NOTES…
• Former Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks C Chris Coste, who is on the Disabled List of the Philadelphia Phillies, is expected to make a rehab start with the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League (A) tonight. Coste is eligible to come off the D.L. this weekend.
• Former Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks LHP and coach Jeff Isom has been named the manager of the Helena Brewers, the Pioneer League (R) affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Isom was the manager of the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League in 2006. He pitched for Fargo-Moorhead from 1996-97 and 1999. He was also a coach with the RedHawks in 2000 before taking a managerial position in the Frontier League during the 2000 season.