Mequon, WI – Lucas Raley has received numerous accolades throughout the 2015 season and beyond. He was named to both the Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star teams in the Northwoods League and also participated in the annual NWL Home Run Challenge. Now, Raley has gotten more merit as Perfect Game has named him to the Summer Collegiate All-American First Team.
A Division II product from Lake Erie College, Raley certainly made a big impact on the Chinooks throughout the season. At the plate, he hit .314 and added 13 doubles, 5 triples and 14 home runs, the second most of any Northwoods League player. He also tied for the Northwoods League lead with 55 RBIs, which is also the most of anyone on Perfect Game's list of Summer Collegiate All-Americans. To top things off, Raley posted a very good slugging percentage of .569 while also scoring 43 runs.
Not only was he a good player on offense, but Raley also made his impact on defense. Not necessarily the fastest person on the field, he got the most out of his tools thanks to good instincts and a great understanding of baseball. He also showed of an impact arm, leading NWL right fielders with seven outfield assists on the year.
The moment where Raley showed the league he truly belonged with the best Division I talent in the country came back on July 4th. The Chinooks were taking on the Kalamazoo Growlers in two seven-inning games thanks to a previous rain postponement. Seven innings was all that Raley needed to make history as he became the first Northwoods Leauge player in history to hit four home runs in one game.
Raley also made some Chinooks history with his outstanding year. He totaled 80 hits on the year, which was the most by a player in a single season in the four-year history of the Chinooks.
With his selection to the Summer Collegiate All-American First Team, Raley becomes the second Chinook ever to be named to the first team. Last year, Chinooks 2014 MVP Brett Siddall was named to the first team. Siddall was also joined by relief pitcher Andrew Elliot, who was named to the second team last summer.
Raley came into the season looking to prove that he, a Division II talent, could play with some of the best talent in the country. He did that and more, showing he has a bright future ahead of him thanks to an outstanding year. This accolade is certainly a well-deserved one, and now Raley will hope to ride a great summer into a good college season and hopefully into the MLB Draft next June.
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 21 year old summer collegiate 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), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com.
