The pop of the mitt, the crack of the bat…….it’s back! While the snow continues to fly in Wisconsin, baseball has begun for many college teams across the country. This weekend marked the official start of America’s favorite pastime in the college ranks. I will try to provide weekly updates in the blog on the incoming Rafters players as the spring progresses. Not all incoming players saw action this weekend, as many colleges have yet to begin their schedules. However, a couple of incoming and former Rafters enjoyed some early season success.
Even though the Cal Baptist University got their season underway prior to the official “Opening Weekend”, sophomore LHP Jesse Arreola has picked up right where he left off for the Rafters last summer. In 6 games, 2 starts, for Cal Baptist, Arreola has posted a 2-0 record to go along with a very nice 3.38 ERA. In 18.2 innings of work for the Lancers, he has stuck out 18 batters while also managing to record 2 saves out of the bullpen.
Tommy Organ got off to a nice start for the University of North Florida. In two appearances this weekend for the Ospreys, organ tossed 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball while allowing two hits, one walk, and recording 2 strikeouts. Fellow North Florida teammate and former Rafter outfielder Michael Smith enjoyed a terrific weekend that saw him bat .385 (5-for-13), with 2 doubles and 3 RBI. Smith also went 2-for-2 in stolen base attempts.
A key cog out of the pen for the Rafters in 2010, Brad Douthit appeared in two games out of the bullpen this weekend for USC, while surrendering 3 runs in 1.2 innings pitched. The Trojans went up against Missouri, Cal Poly, and North Carolina while going 2-1 in the first weekend.
Illinois third baseman Brandon Hohl began his spring season by going 3-for-8 (.375 batting average), while scoring two runs and driving in 3. He appeared in all three of Illinois’’ games, while making two starts.
Valparaiso shortstop Bobby Martin enjoyed some early season success, as he belted his first homer of the spring while also driving in 4 runs in the team’s second game against Austin Peay. He got on base at a .400 clip while going 1-for-2 in stolen base attempts during the opening weekend.
University of New Mexico freshman third baseman DJ Peterson began his college career batting in the #3 spot in the Lobos’ lineup. In 11 at bats he recorded two hits, both which were doubles and drove in 1 run.
Incoming catcher Jordy Snikeris appeared in two games for the LSU Tigers, making one start behind the plate. The Tigers were ranked No. 15 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 22 by Baseball America in the 2011 preseason polls.
University of Nevada-Reno freshman outfielder, Curtis Frisbie, got his first taste of collegiate baseball as he appeared in all three of his teams’ games and recorded his first collegiate RBI.
Former Rafters third baseman Ryan Palermo went 3-for-7 (.429 BA) in UC-Santa Barbara’s first two games against La Salle this weekend. He scored 3 runs and knocked in 2 RBI as Santa Barbara got off to a 2-0 start.
Rafters field manager Scott Laverty’s University of Redlands Bulldogs are off to a 5-3 start to their season. This past weekend, Laverty led the Bulldogs to wins in 2 of their three games against the University of La Verne.
Stay tuned to Diamond Dialogue throughout the spring for all of your updates on current and former Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.
Only 100 days until the home opener!
-John
No comments:
Post a Comment