Two California pitchers add to the 2021 rotation
Wisconsin Rapids – The Rafters add to the 2021 roster, signing returning pitchers Nathan Hemmerling and Jack Gonzales.
Hemmerling returns for his third season with the Rafters. He allowed only 24 runs in 80.2 innings, compiling a 2.70 ERA during his two summers in Wisconsin Rapids. Hemmerling, a junior at Lakeland University, pitched 67.2 innings and allowed only 17 runs in his career with the Muskies. In two separate outings, Hemmerling struck out 17 batters through eight innings.
Gonzales returns to the Rafters for a second season after tallying 24 innings and 26 strikeouts last summer. After pitching out of the bullpen in 2019, the junior at Dixie State started five games in the 2020 shortened collegiate season. He allowed only eight runs in 26 innings for the Trailblazers.
“I’m really excited to be back in Rapids this summer. We had an awesome group of guys last year, and a lot of them will be back this year,” Gonzales said. “I can’t wait to play alongside them against the best of the best.”
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.
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.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
