For the City Times

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are pleased to announce the latest additions to their 2016 roster in a pair of pitchers from the Big East Conference. Xavier teammates and fellow sophomores Garrett Schilling and Damien Richard will join the Rafters’ pitching staff for their introductory taste of Northwoods League baseball following the conclusion of the college season.

“Garrett and Damien are both really nice additions to our pitching staff,” said Rafters general manager John Fanta. “Both guys have some versatility to either start or come out of the bullpen and will provide Field Manager Craig Noto some valuable innings this summer.”

Garrett Schilling. (Contributed Photo)

P – Garrett Schilling, 6’1” 175, (R/R), Sophomore, Xavier University

Schilling will trade his blue Xavier uniform for the cranberry of the Rafters as the sophomore right-handed pitcher is primed to call Wisconsin Rapids his home for the summer of 2016. As a freshman, Schilling played a limited role as he was brokered the opportunity to make only seven appearances, notching eight strikeouts. As a sophomore, however, Schilling has been dynamite at the back end of the bullpen for the Musketeers. In the processes of working 11.2 innings in seven outings this spring, the Michigan native has posted a 2.31 ERA, racked up 10 strikeouts, and tallied three saves. As a prep athlete, Garrett holds the impressive distinction of going undefeated on the mound across the sum of his four-year career to the tune of a 36-0 record. In addition to winning a trio of state championships on the diamond, Schilling served as the starting kicker on the Bishop Foley High School football team and laced up his skates for the hockey team. In his first exposure to wood bat baseball, Shilling worked exclusively out of the bullpen last summer for the Elmira Pioneers of the Perfect Game Collegiate League as he racked up a 3-1 record and a 3.97 ERA in 22.2 innings. Garrett hails from Clawson, Michigan.

P – Damien Richard, 6’4” 235, (R/R), Sophomore, Xavier University

Richard Damien. (Contributed Photo)

Joining Schilling with the Rafters will be fellow Musketeer Damien Richard. The right-handed pitcher’s arrival in Wisconsin Rapids will come at the tail end of what has been a strong sophomore season thus far. After a freshman season that saw him log just 4.1 innings in six appearances, Richard has cemented himself as an imposing presence for Xavier in his second year on campus. In seven appearances, including one start, the towering right-hander has maintained a 2.84 ERA and punched out 16 batters in 19 innings of work. Richard, one of three brothers to play baseball at Xavier, boasts excellent athletic genes as he also earned all-conference distinctions in football and basketball for Versailles High School as a prep athlete. Damien is a native of Versailles, Ohio.

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 OfficeMonday–Friday from 9-5 to purchase a ticket package or book a group outing.