The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters added a pair of right handed pitchers to their staff today by announcing the additions of Kevin Wild (Valparaiso) and Joey Wagman (Cal Poly).
Kevin Wild, a Brown Deer, Wisconsin, native joined Valparaiso for his junior season after spending his freshman and sophomore campaigns at Madison Junior College. The right hander has appeared in 8 games for the Crusaders this spring, posting a sparkling 3.00 ERA. In 12.0 innings pitched in relief, he has struck out 14 batters while limiting opponents to a .205 batting average. He will join Valparaiso teammate, shortstop Bobby Martin, on the Rafters this summer.
Last year for Madison, Wild appeared in 15 games on the mound while starting four. He tossed 32.1 innings while registering a 4-2 record and helped lead his team to the NJCAA Division 2 World Series. In 2009, as a freshman, Wild posted a 4.50 ERA. He earned Academic All-North Central Community College Conference honors in both of his seasons in Madison.
Wild was a four-year letter winner for the Brown Deer Falcons, three-time All-Woodland Conference honoree, and was named All-Suburban in 2007 and 2008 and All-District in 2008. He is majoring in Business at Valparaiso.
Joey Wagman is amidst his sophomore season for Cal Poly in 2011. Through 4 appearances, 2 starts, he carries a 2-1 record with a 7.11 ERA. In 12.2 innings pitched, he has allowed 15 hits, while striking out 8. His ERA is deceiving, as it is for most hurlers during the spring when facing aluminum bats, which are sometimes unforgiving.
Last spring, Wagman appeared in 12 games, including five starts, as a true freshman for the Mustangs. He compiled a 1-2 record and struck out 25 batters in 33 innings during the season. He earned a win in first-ever college start, pitching six innings against Pepperdine and allowing one run and six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Following his 2010 spring season, Wagman played summer ball for the Walla Walla Sweets of the summer collegiate West Coast League. He posted a 2-2 record and 2.65 ERA in 6 games, 4 starts for Wall Walla, while also recording 21 strikeouts in 34 innings. His performance in the West Coast League is very indicative of numbers he projects when facing wood bats again in the Northwoods League this summer.
A 2009 graduate of Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, Wagman compiled a 2.03 ERA on the mound helped Mustangs to 17-8 record his senior year. He is majoring in Business Administration at Cal Poly.
