Rafters Partner With University of Washington Huskies For First Time In Team History

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – With the Division I spring collegiate season nearly upon us, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have announced a pair of sophomores that will team up as battery mates at Witter Field this summer. Today team officials announced the signing of catcher Joey Morgan (University of Washington) and right handed pitcher Chris Cooper (Texas A&M Corpus Christi).

 “We are thrilled to partner with the University of Washington for the first time in our history,” said Rafters general manager John Fanta. “Behind the plate, Joey Morgan is excellent at handling a pitching staff. This will be the second season we’ve teamed up with Texas A&M Corpus Christi and are looking for Chris Cooper to build off the success he had on the mound last summer. Coach Noto is elated for the opportunity to work with both of these athletes.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

C – Joey Morgan, 6’0” 200 (R/R) Sophomore, University of Washington
After cracking the Huskies lineup as a true freshman in 2015, Morgan is in line for an increased role in his second season. Just months removed from high school, Morgan was pressed into action five games into the 2015 season following an injury to the Huskies returning starter. Morgan totaled 40 appearances, starting 38 games and handled a Husky pitching staff that finished second in the PAC-12 with a 3.01 team ERA. In addition to dominating behind the plate, Morgan smacked two home runs and pushed across 11 RBI for the season. Morgan’s experience using a wood bat dates to his time with the Medford Rogues, where he hit a red-hot .351 in 15 games. Joey is a native of Sisters, Oregon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHP – Chris Cooper, 6’0” 185 (R/R) RS Sophomore, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Cooper received a redshirt last season, for the Islanders, after being limited to a single appearance in his first year on campus. Chris finally earned an opportunity to pitch regularly in the summer of 2015 competing in the wood bat Texas Collegiate League. The right-handed enjoyed a breakout campaign as a member of the Woodlands Strykers, for whom he compiled a 4-1 record across 17 appearances. Cooper registered a razor sharp 1.48 ERA and struck out 34 hitters over 42.2 innings of action while also posting a complete game shutout, despite making just two starts. He will look to channel his tremendous summer with the Strykers into further success this spring and summer for Texas A&M Corpus Christi as well as the Rafters this summer. Chris hails from Montgomery, Texas.

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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 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, 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 140 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.