Familiar Faces Return to Pitching Staff

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters announced the return of two key left handed pitchers who played important roles during the first two seasons of Rafters baseball.  Tommy Organ (North Florida), who led all 2010 Rafters pitchers in strikeouts joins 2011 starter Augey Bill (Arizona) in what is shaping up to be a strong rotation for first-year manager Jake Martin.

“We are extremely excited to have both Tommy and Augey return to Wisconsin Rapids for the 2011 season,” said assistant general manager John Fanta.  “Both players have already experienced a great deal of success in the Northwoods League and we look forward to having their leadership on the 2012 team.”

LHP-Tommy Organ, 6’5”, 180 lbs (L/L) Junior, North Florida

After leading the Inaugural Season Rafters pitching staff in strikeouts in 2010, Tommy Organ will return to Wisconsin Rapids following his junior season at North Florida this spring.  Last spring, Organ appeared in 15 games (8 starts) for the Ospreys and posted a 4.12 ERA.  In 43.2 innings he struck out 44 batters and posted a 4-2 record during his sophomore season, subsequently being named to the 2011 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic Team.

Following his freshman year at North Florida, Organ appeared in 16 games for the Rafters, making 8 starts.  He posted a 1-3 record to go along with a 4.39 ERA and struck out a team-high 54 batters in 53.1 innings of work.  Arguably his best pitching performance of the season occurred on July 23^rd at Wausau, after transitioning from bullpen to starting duty.  In 6.1 innings against the Woodchucks, Organ allowed only 2 hits while striking out a season-high 11 batters.  He allowed only one unearned run in the dominant performance.

The Chicago, Illinois native appeared in 15 games out of the North Florida bullpen while posting a 4.56 ERA as a freshman.  In 25.2 innings he struck out 19 batters and also compiled 3 saves.  He currently resides in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

LHP-Augey Bill, 6’8”, 220 lbs (L/L) Junior, Arizona

After redshirting his sophomore year, Bill proved to be a very consistent and durable force for the 2011 Rafters pitching staff.  After joining the team mid-season, Bill appeared in 8 games (7 starts) and posted a 3-1 record and 4.10 ERA.  Spanning 37.1 innings on the mound, Bill allowed only 32 hits while striking out 36 batters and only allowing 13 walks.

In 17 games (1 start) for the Arizona Wildcats as a true freshman in 2010, Bill posted a 4.40 ERA in 14.1 innings on the mound.  Opponents posted a miniscule .218 batting average against him, the lowest mark for any pitcher on the staff.  He managed to strike out 14 batters in as many innings, while allowing only one extra base hit.  Bill is a native of Danville, California and is currently enrolled in the College of Engineering at Arizona, with a major in aerospace engineering.

Kyle Kohls Joins Rafters Front Office

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters announced today that Kyle Kohls has joined the front office as the team’s Director of Group Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Kohls will work with non-profit groups to create fundraising and group outing opportunities, oversee the Rafters reading program, as well as manage the ballpark entertainment on game days.

“Last summer was a great experience working in the North Division with the Willmar Stingers,” said Kohls. “I look forward to experiencing a full season in the South Division with the Rafters and the Wisconsin Rapids fans.”

The 2012 season will be Kohl’s second season in the Northwoods League, after spending last season interning with the Willmar Stingers as their Director of Hospitality. Kohls received his bachelor’s degree in Recreational Parks and Leisure Services from Minnesota State University Mankato in 2011. During college he spent time as a youth baseball coach for the city of Mankato.

Originally from Maple Grove, Minnesota, Kyle currently resides in Wisconsin Rapids. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his niece and nephew, cheering on the Minnesota Gophers and spending time outdoors.

Sluggers Cyr and Hohl to Power Rafters in 2012

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have retained a pair of sluggers from their 2011 club as the team announced the signings of first baseman Josh Cyr (North Alabama) and third baseman Brandon Hohl (Illinois) for their 2012 roster. Cyr and Hohl join returnees Nestor Bautista (Ball State) and Skyler Debilzen (UW-La Crosse) on the list of Rafters signees to date.

“Cyr and Hohl are great team guys that come out and play hard every day,” said manager Jake Martin. “That’s why we are excited to have them return as core guys that can help lead our team this summer.”

1B-Josh Cyr, 6’1”, 240 lbs (R/R) Junior, North Alabama
After a strong sophomore campaign for North Alabama, Josh Cyr added a fusion of power to the 2011 Rafters lineup. The durable first baseman batted .243 last summer, while leading the team in multiple offensive categories including games played (68), hits (56), home runs (12), and RBI (39). His 12 home runs ranked him second in the entire Northwoods League to Mankato’s Shaun Cooper, who was named the Northwoods League MVP in 2011 after belting a single season record 20 home runs. Cyr also ranked second on the team in walks (30) and doubles (11), while tying for the team lead with 30 runs scored.

In 51 games as a sophomore at North Alabama last spring, Cyr batted .314 with 7 home runs and 46 RBI, while also carrying a .502 on-base percentage. That production followed up a freshman season that saw him post a .331 batting average, on the way to being named Gulf South Conference East Division Freshman of the Year.

Cyr is a native of Huntsville, Alabama and still holds the high school record for home runs in a season at Westminster Christian Academy.

3B-Brandon Hohl, 6’2”, 205 lbs (R/R) Junior, Illinois
After spending the spring season as the cleanup hitter for Illinois, Brandon Hohl showed up in Wisconsin Rapids with a productive bat and a consistent glove at third base and shortstop in 2011. Appearing in 60 games for the Rafters last summer, Hohl posted a .251 batting average and led the team with 16 doubles and 40 walks. He ranked second on the team to Cyr in games played (60), hits (54), and RBI (32), while ranking third on the team with 6 home runs.

As a sophomore at Illinois, Hohl batted .311 with a .415 on-base percentage and showed his clutch nature by posting a .365 batting average with runners in scoring position. He posted a .278 batting average as a freshman while compiling 18 multiple hit games in 2010.

Hohl was named the no. 31 prospect in the state of Illinois his senior year of high school by Prep Baseball Report after hitting .391 with 7 doubles, 5 home runs and 27 RBIs and a .509 on-base percentage as senior at Lincoln-Way East High School. He is a native of Mokena, Illinois.