Sandlin, Johansmeier, and Sims Recognized For Standout 2015 Seasons

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – Following the conclusion of the sixth season of Rafters baseball, the team has announced the 2015 Most Valuable Player, Pitcher of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year Award recipients.

The 2015 season was one for the record books for the Rafters, setting a new high mark for wins with 33, eclipsing the 31 notched by the 2013 roster. A constant presence in the lineup leading the offensive charge, Jake Sandlin (Southern Miss) has been named the 2015 Most Valuable Player for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.

Sandlin came to Wisconsin Rapids following a tremendous junior season at Georgia College, and picked up right where he left off. He started the season on a tear batting .400 on his way to an opening 10 game hitting streak. Sandlin occupied a number of roles in the lineup this season, but did his most damage in the heart of the order, leading the Rafters in RBIs (36), hits (70), doubles (22), and slugging percentage (.458). His 22 doubles also set a new franchise record for the Rafters. On the defensive side, Sandlin played very solid in the outfield only committing one error. Sandlin will finish his collegiate career at Southern Mississippi where he will be a senior in the spring.

Jake Johansmeier (Eastern Illinois) has been named the 2015 Rafters Pitcher of the Year. In his second year with the Rafters, Johansmeier also etched his name into the franchise record books when he set a new standard with seven wins. Working out of both the starting rotation and bullpen, he compiled a very solid stat-line finishing with a 7-1 record, 3.01 ERA, and 40 strikeouts in 62.2 innings of work. Johansmeier saved his best work for his last two starts, where he went eight innings against the Green Bay Bullfrogs while giving up just one earned run, scattering five hits and striking out five on July 28th. He followed that up with a complete game (7 innings) shutout of the Wisconsin Woodchucks on August 3rd. Johansmeier heads back to Eastern Illinois where he will be a senior in the spring.

Demetrius Sims (Bethune Cookman) has been named the 2015 Rafters Defensive Player of the Year. Despite his season being cut short due to injury, Sims and his quickly became a fixture at shortstop for the Rafters. Playing in 27 games, Sims committed just five errors and made a number of highlight reel plays that left the cranberry crazies at Witter Field in awe. Whether it was ranging far up the middle, or showing off his cannon-like right hand arm, his athleticism was on constant display. Sims even earned national recognition when his amazing, mid-dive, bare handed catch was featured on the June 23rd addition of SportsCenter, coming in at number three in that night’s Top 10 plays. Sims will be a redshirt sophomore at Bethune Cookman in the spring.

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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), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (KC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.