(Pictured: LHP Jeff Fasching, University of Minnesota. Photo courtesy Minnesota Athletics)

Pitcher Fasching And Infielder Pettersen To Suit Up For Wisconsin Rapids

By Cooper Perkins

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are pleased to announce the additions of a pair of Big Ten Conference products from the University of Minnesota. Both sophomores, left-handed hurler Jeff Fasching and infielder Luke Pettersen will each display their talents at Witter Field following culmination of the college season.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the University of Minnesota again in 2016,” said Rafters general manager John Fanta. “Luke Pettersen gained some valuable experience in the Northwoods League last season and Jeff Fasching provides us a dependable left-handed pitcher to add to our pitching staff.”

LHP – Jeff Fasching, 6’1” 185, (L/L), Sophomore, University of Minnesota
Originally from Northwoods League territory, the St. Cloud, Minnesota native will venture to Wisconsin Rapids for the upcoming summer. Jeff, a sophomore left-hander, is in the midst of building upon his inaugural season for the Gophers in which he appeared in seven games and struck out a quartet of hitters. This season, the lefty has worked 5.1 innings out of the bullpen for Minnesota and has racked up eight strikeouts while issuing a 3.38 ERA. Jeff piled up half of his strikeout total in a single outing as he earned the unique designation of firing a four-strikeout inning against Augsburg on his way to a maintaining his unblemished 1-0 record. As a prep athlete, the left-handed tosser piled up a remarkable 27-1 record throughout his high school career and never registered an ERA north of 1.20. Fasching, the son of a college football coach, also excelled on the gridiron in high school, concluding his football career as a two-time all-conference quarterback and the school record-holder for passing yards.

INF – Luke Pettersen, 5’10” 175, (L/R), Sophomore, University of Minnesota
Joining Fasching in Wisconsin Rapids will be his fellow Gopher, infielder Luke Pettersen. As a native of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Pettersen is no stranger to Northwoods League baseball and will be in his second year competing on the circuit following a summer last year that saw him make 39 appearances and post a .366 on-base percentage for the Alexandria Blue Anchors. Prior to his experience in the Northwoods League, Petterson debuted with Minnesota last spring, following in the footsteps of his older brother A.J., and hit a respectable .280 in 17 games of action. Now a sophomore, Pettersen has spent time as a starter for Minnesota this season earning the nod in 13 of his 17 appearances while posting a .292 batting average, piling up five RBI, and working seven walks. As a high school athlete, Pettersen enjoyed sustained success for Minnetonka High School on the diamond in addition to lettering on the hardwood as a member of the basketball squad.

The home opener for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters is June 1st at 7:05 against the Green Bay Bullfrogs. Solarus Founders Club, bleacher 9-Game ticket packages, and group outing packages are on sale now. Call 715-424-5400 or stop by the Rafters Front Office Monday-Friday from 9-5 to purchase a ticket package or book a group outing.

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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.