Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- As the collegiate sports landscape has adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic, many schools have safely returned to baseball in 2021. Incoming Rafters are already making an impact on the field, setting the stage for an exciting summer of baseball.
LSU baseball has played 17 games so far this year. As a freshman, Jordan Thompson has started 15 games. He has driven in 11 runs with 16 hits, five being home runs. Brody Drost has appeared in 14 games, starting 11, and has blasted two homers.
Long Island University had its season opener on March 10th against Fairleigh Dickinson. EJ Exposito hit two home runs, one being a grand slam, and totaled six RBI on the day. Nick Torres pitched 1.2 innings, striking out two batters, and keeping the bases clear.
The Big East has also returned to action. Sterling Hayes, a sophomore shortstop at Creighton University, is posting a .333 average in 21 at-bats with one home run in the young 2021 season. Senior Hunter Waldis of Seton Hall University has pitched 4.2 innings in four appearances totaling eight strikeouts.
A couple Rafters returners have also started the collegiate season strong. Davidson College began its season in late February. Jacob Hinderleider has appeared in all 13 games with five hits, two doubles, and two RBIs. Jack Gonzales has appeared in two games for Dixie State, pitching in five innings with seven strikeouts.
NCAA Division 3 and NAIA are set to start games in early April.
Mark your calendars! The Rafters Home Opener is on Monday, May 31st at 6:35pm against rival Wisconsin Woodchucks. Reserve your tickets today with a Rafters ticket package! Single game tickets go on sale in April.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 245 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.
