Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – It’s opening week in Wisconsin in the Northwoods League presented by Edvest and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have added a wealth of players to their roster on temporary contracts, including four pitchers and five position players. 

LHP – Cal Giese, 6’0” 195, (L/L), Redshirt Freshman, St. Cloud State

Giese, who is in his first year with St. Cloud State, has made a graceful transition to the collegiate ranks by posting a 6-2 record with a 4.08 ERA in nine appearances, six in a starting capacity. The Plover, Wisconsin product has dominated opponents to the tune of 56 strikeouts compared to just 12 walks in 39.2 innings of labor. 

 

 

IF – Nolan Kraemer, 6’1” 195, (R/R), Freshman, Saddleback Community College

Kraemer, another junior college product, will look to Wisconsin Rapids for his first taste of the Northwoods League after spending his freshman year at Saddleback CC in Southern California. Originally from Orange County, Kraemer graduated from Tesoro High School.

 

 

 

IF – Patrick Cromwell, 6’2” 180, (L/R), Sophomore, Santa Ana Community College

With his junior college days behind him, Cromwell has elected to continue his collegiate career at Clemson beginning next season. In 2016 the infielder enjoyed success in 36 games for Santa Ana CC, swinging the bat at a .331 clip and smashing four home runs to go along with 33 RBI and 30 runs scored. No stranger to collegiate summer wood bat baseball, he played last summer in the Alaska League.

 

 

IF – Trent McMaster, 6’3” 215, (L/R), Sophomore, Coffeyville Community College

McMaster, a first baseman, has cemented himself as a fixture in the Coffeyville Community College lineup, hitting safely in 44 of the 57 games in which he has appeared. McMaster dominated opposing hurlers throughout the season for the playoff-bound Ravens by posting a team-leading .343 batting average, smacking three home runs, driving in 47 runs, and scoring 44 times. 

 

 

IF/OF – Drew McLaughlin, 5’11” 170, (R/R), Redshirt Junior, Dixie State

Following the 2015 season in which McLaughlin was named to the All-PacWest team, the infielder posted another phenomenal campaign in 2016, helping to lead the Storm back to the NCAA Division-II Tournament. A redshirt junior, McLaughlin led the club with a .408 batting average in 50 games played, smashed five home runs, piled up 43 RBI, scored 54 runs, and stole 15 bases in 18 attempts.

 

 

IF – Luke Yapp, 6’1” 210, (R/R), Redshirt Junior, Northern Illinois

Following the conclusion of his two-year career at Madison Community College, Yapp, a Verona, Wisconsin native, became a regular contributor in his first year at Northern Illinois. The redshirt junior has played in 46 games for the Huskies, starting 36 times, posting 19 RBI, and scoring 16 runs.

 

 

LHP – Gareth Stroh, 6’2” 185, (L/L), Freshman, Coffeyville Community College

Following his freshman season at Coffeyville Community College, the Nebraska native will join the Rafters, and bring versatility to Witter Field. Stroh, a left-hander, started 12 times and worked out of the bullpen seven times for a total of 19 appearances. In the process of posting a 2-6 record, Stroh functioned as a workhorse for the Kansas-based community college, piling up 64.2 innings and 60 strikeouts, which was the second-highest total on the staff.

 

 

RHP – Vinny Santarsiero, 6’8” 180, (R/R), Redshirt Junior, Fontbonne University

The towering right-hander is looking to build on his excellent showing last summer in the New York Collegiate Baseball League upon his arrival in Wisconsin Rapids. Through nine starts last summer, Santarsiero posted a 4-5 record and a sharp 2.61 ERA across 62 innings for the Genesee Rapids. This spring, Vinny has pitched 14 times in relief for the Griffins, going 4-6 with a 4.10 ERA and 66 punch outs in 63.2 innings on the hill.

 

 

RHP – Blair Lakso, 6’2” 225, (R/R), Redshirt Junior, Buffalo

The former Erie Community College right-hander is concluding his second season as a member of the Bulls, having appeared in 10 games, including one start. In limited action, Lakso has registered an 0-2 record and a 8.84 ERA over 19.1 innings. A bright spot for the New York native, however, is that he has struck out 18 hitters, nearly matching his total of innings pitched. 

 

 

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.