(Pictured: James Davitt, photo courtesy of Bryant University)

Three Hurlers Set To Join Wisconsin Rapids

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- Already boasting a wide array of styles on the pitching staff, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are pleased to announce the addition of the final three players to the roster. Right-handed pitchers James Davitt (Bryant) and Nick Nelson (Iowa Western CC), and left-handed pitcher Justin Kelly (UC Santa Barbara) have signed contracts to play for the Rafters during the 2015 season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHP- James Davitt, 5’10”, 160 lbs (R/R) Junior, Bryant
Working out of the bullpen for the Bulldogs, Davitt has made four appearances so far during the 2015 season, and is 1-0 with a 4.82 earned run average and eight strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings of work. A key weapon out of the Bulldogs’ bullpen during the 2014 season, Davitt made 11 appearances including one start during his sophomore campaign. He finished with a 1-1 record and a 3.66 earned run average in 19 2/3 innings. Davitt showed good command of the strike zone as with 17 strikeouts against just seven walks and held his opponents to just a .222 batting average against him. Another player with previous summer collegiate experience, Davitt pitched for the New Bedford Bay Sox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League during the summer of 2014. Again working primarily out of the bullpen, he went 2-2 with a 2.24 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings. Davitt is a native of Wallingford, CT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LHP- Justin Kelly 6’1” 175 lbs (R/L) Senior, UC Santa Barbara
Kelly, who is unable to play in games this spring due to NCAA rules after transferring from Virginia Tech, brings another left-handed arm to the 2015 pitching staff in Wisconsin Rapids. Kelly last saw significant time on the hill his sophomore season at Bakersfield College. In his sophomore campaign, Kelly went 5-4 with a 3.80 ERA and was named as a Second Team All-Conference selection. He was Second Team All-Conference his freshman year as well while posting a 5-3 record with a 3.98 ERA. Kelly intends to major in Anthropology while at UC Santa Barbara, and hopes to find future success in agricultural business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHP- Nick Nelsen 6’3” 185 lbs (R/R) Freshman, Iowa Western CC
Nick Nelsen is another exciting right-hander joining the Rafters pitching staff this summer. Featuring a side arm delivery, Nelsen has worked three appearances for Iowa Western this spring, and has posted a 3.00 ERA in 3 innings on the mound while compiling 6 strikeouts. While attending West Des Moines Valley High School in Des Moines, Iowa, Nelsen was an All-State pitcher and is also on record for throwing a complete game in 72 pitches.

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 www.raftersbaseball.com.