One of Division II’s top relief pitchers, Devin Raftery, and lefty teammate, Alex Kline, Broaden Staff
Green Bay, Wis.- The Nova Southeastern University Sharks are 32-7 and on the hunt for the school’s first Division II National Championship. Two of their most seasoned bullpen pitchers, Alex Kline and Devin Raftery, will take their winning pedigree up North this summer, strengthening the Bullfrogs pitching staff.
Alex Kline, a left-handed junior from Coral Glades, Fla., has acted as a long reliever, one-inning man, and lefty specialist in a deep Sharks bullpen. Featuring a 6’4” body frame, Kline has totaled four appearances, in the 2015 season, including a Feb. 24th outing against Northwood University in which he struck out six hitters in 2 2/3 scoreless frames. Last summer, Kline suited up for the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs of the Florida League. In over 40 IP with seven starts, Kline was 4-1 with a 1.98 ERA. He also earned a spot in the league’s prospect showcase.
“I want to work on being more consistent, and perfect all of the pitches that I throw,” said Kline of what he hopes to achieve with the Bullfrogs. “I would like to have a bunch of innings to get stronger on the mound. I’ve talked to a couple players from our team and they have loved playing [in the Northwoods League], so I’m excited to go up there.”
Opposing batters are hitting just .157 against Devin Raftery this spring. Almost an automatic strike machine, the red-shirt junior from Deltona, Florida, owns a 1.75 ERA, leads the team with 17 appearances, and has a K/BB split of 35/5. A bullpen mate of Kline, Raftery has not allowed an earned run in 14 games, and is the team’s primary closer with five saves. Like Kline, Raftery also pitched for the Diamond Dawgs in 2014. He logged a 6-0 record, and 3.00 ERA in 48 IP. A tribute to his consistency, Raftery pitched in both the league’s all-star game and Korean Series.
“However I end the season, I just want to keep that going into the Northwoods, if not put up better pitching numbers.” said Raftery of his upcoming stint with Green Bay. “Just be dominant. I hope to make a name for myself no matter where I go.”
The Bullfrogs will open up the 2015 season at home on May 26th against the La Crosse Loggers. Group tickets, season tickets and 7-game packages are on sale now. The Bullfrogs off-season hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. For more information please visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com.
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The Green Bay Bullfrogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit GreenBayBullfrogs.com.