Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters announced that they have established a relationship with the University of South Alabama by signing two players from the University—Logan Kirkland and Colin Bray. Kirkland is a sophomore infielder who spent his freshman season as the Jaguars primary shortstop and Bray is a freshman outfielder.
“Logan and Colin will both be great additions to our team,” said Manager Jake Martin. “They are both athletic guys that can run, which fits in well with what we are trying to do.”
2B/SS-Logan Kirkland, 5’7”, 170 lbs (R/R) Sophomore, South Alabama [pictured left]
Logan Kirkland will begin his sophomore campaign for the Jaguars with all eyes focused on him after being named to the pre-season All-Sun Belt Conference Team earlier this month. Primarily playing shortstop, Kirkland earned Freshman All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Baseball America last season after hitting .339 (76-for-224) with 43 runs scored, 10 doubles, two triples, one home run, and 27 RBI. His batting averaged ranked him second on the team and he also carried a .417 on-base-percentage throughout the season.
Kirkland recorded a 21-game hitting streak—the longest of any Jaguar since 2003—and led the Sun Belt Conference in sacrifice flies (10), which tied for third in the nation. He reached base in 53 of 54 games played, and hit safely in 44 of 54 contests during the year. He also finished with 23 multiple-hit games and batted .336 against Sun Belt Conference opponents last year.
Kirkland lettered four years in baseball at Alma Bryant High School, setting school records in batting average, hits, doubles and RBI. As a senior he batted .433 with three home runs and as a junior he hit .489 with three home runs. He is a native of Grand Bay, Alabama.
OF-Colin Bray, 6’4”, 195 lbs (R/L) Freshman, South Alabama [pictured right]
Colin Bray enters his freshman season at South Alabama after an impressive prep career at Vancleave High School in Mississippi. Bray earned the prestigious honor of being named Mississippi Boys Athlete of the Year by The Mississippi Press as a senior after outstanding performances in baseball, basketball and football.
On the baseball diamond he led Vancleave High with three home runs, 32 runs scored, 12 stolen bases and a .475 on-base percentage, while posting a .364 batting average and driving in 17 runs. On the football field he was equally impressive, leading his team to a 11-2 record as the quarterback while rushing for 1,155 yards and 17 touchdowns and throwing for 881 yards and four scores as a senior. He originally signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at a different institution but opted to instead focus on baseball at South Alabama. Colin’s father, Scott, lettered two years at South Alabama (1988-89) and played in the minor leagues with the Montreal Expos organization during the 1989 season. Bray is a native of Vancleave, Mississippi.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2012. Opening Day at historic Witter Field is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30th at 7:05 pm against the La Crosse Loggers. Reserve your 2012 ticket packages today by calling 715-424-5400, or in person by stopping by the Rafters office at historic Witter Field. The offseason office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.
