(Wisconsin Rapids, WI) The Rafters announced four additions today that bolster the infield, outfield, and pitching staff. Joining the team for the inaugural season will be freshman infielder and Baron, WI native Brad Hallberg (Ohio State University), junior infielder/outfielder Nick Nolan (Kean University), junior left-handed pitcher Matt Baudino (University of La Verne), and freshman left handed-pitcher Jesse Arreola (Cal Baptist University).
Brad Hallberg, 5’10’’, 180 lbs (R/R) Fr.
Wisconsin native Brad Hallberg will don a Rafters jersey this season after his freshman year at Ohio State University. This spring Hallberg has batted .284 for the Buckeyes while appearing in 30 games and making 22 starts. He also carries a .375 on-base percentage.
Brad was off to a solid start in 2009 before a shoulder injury that ended his season early. Before the injury, he was 4-for-10 with three RBI and four runs scored.
Hallberg was a four-year varsity infielder for Barron High School where he batted .556 with 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and no strikeouts in 2008. Brad’s brother, Mark, was an all-Atlantic Coast Conference shortstop in 2007 at Florida State and was drafted in the ninth round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hallberg is an international business major at Ohio State.
Nick Nolan, 5’11”, 190 lbs (R/R) Jr.
Nolan will join the Rafters after batting .326 with a team-leading 58 RBI in his junior year at Kean University. Nolan, Kean’s starting right fielder, has displayed a great combination of power and speed, as he has hit nine home runs and is 20-for-20 in stolen base attempts this season. This spring he has lead the team in runs scored (45) and times hit by pitch (17), while tying for the team-lead in triples with four. He also carries a .400 on-base percentage in his 46 games played.
Matt Baudino, 5’11”, 175 lbs (L/L) Jr.
Baudino joins Wisconsin Rapids this summer after completing his junior season at the University of La Verne. For the Leopards in 2010 Baudino was tops on the staff in games started with 13, while also making two appearances in relief. His 3.71 ERA was best among starters and he proved his durability while pitching 77.2 innings. Baudino struck out nearly twice as many opposing batters as he walked.
Jesse Arreola, 5’9”, 245 lbs (L/L) Fr.
Arreola will be joining fellow Cal Baptist teammate Matt Johnson in Wisconsin Rapids this summer. Arreola is a talented left-handed pitcher who has anchored the Lancer staff in 2010. He owns a 3.20 ERA through 21 appearances, including three starts during his first year of collegiate ball. Over a span of 50.2 innings, Arreola has struck out 43 while only surrendering one home run. His 7-0 record and three saves display his ability to secure wins for the team.
Arreola is a 2009 graduate of Riverside Patriot High School in California. As a senior, he carried an 8-5 record and struck out 108 batters in 74.2 innings pitched. He was named League Pitcher of the year as both a junior and senior as well as being named All-League and All-CIF in both years. He is currently majoring in Business Administration at Cal Baptist.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. Single game tickets, ticket packages and group tickets are on sale now! Single game tickets and 9 Game Packs are now available for purchase online at raftersbaseball.com. For more information call (715) 424-5400 or visit www.raftersbaseball.com. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2010. Opening Day at Witter Field is scheduled for Sunday, June 6 at 6:05pm vs. the Eau Claire Express.