UNLV’s Williams and Columbia’s Nicoloff join Rafters infield
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters signed the first two infielders of 2019, announcing the addition of Edarian Williams from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Josh Nicoloff from Columbia University.
Williams is a true freshman at UNLV. He comes highly recruited with an impressive career at Las Vegas Rancho High School in Nevada. During his senior season, Williams hit .451 in 122 at-bats, including hitting nine home runs and tallying 38 RBI. He ended the season with All-State Honorable Mention as a shortstop for the Rams. UNLV coach, Stan Stolte, stated: “Williams has the versatility to play multiple positions at the collegiate level.” The Rafters hope to continue the tradition of great shortstop play from UNLV athletes, following in the footsteps of four-time pre-season All-American Bryson Stott.
Nicoloff appeared in 21 games his freshman year at Columbia. He had six RBI along with four hits and hit his first collegiate home run in April. Originally from Ladera Ranch, California, Nicoloff hit .318 with 12 RBI his senior year at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Santa Margarita has produced high-level pro talent including Klay Thompson (NBA), Trayce Thompson (MLB), and Carson Palmer (NBA).
Both Nicoloff and Williams are entering their collegiate seasons with high expectations. Columbia is coming off an Ivy League Championship Series win for their 14th Ancient Eight conference crown and their 4th regional appearance in 6 seasons. Last year they ended their postseason run losing to number 1 ranked Florida and Florida Atlantic University. Last season, UNLV came up just one game short of the Mountain West Conference title and ended the season with a 35-24 record.
Want to attend a Rafters game next season? Rafters 9-Game Ticket Packages are on sale now! For more information on all Rafters ticket offerings visit Raftersbaseball.com, call the Rafthouse at 715-424-5400, or come visit us over at historic Witter Field. The Rafthouse is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday at Witter Field, 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids. Single game tickets go on sale Friday, April 19.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 25-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 200 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIA). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.