For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Cypress College and the University of Central Florida will be represented on the Rafters roster this season in Matt Schmidt of the Chargers and Dillon Turney of the Knights, the Rafters have announced.

Matt Schmidt. (Courtesy: Rafters Baseball)

The Rafters have signed freshman infielder Matt Schmidt from Cypress College for the 2017 season. Schmidt was selected in the 37th Round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees before deciding to begin his college career. The Regis Jesuit High School graduate has already made his impact felt on the diamond for the Chargers in his first collegiate season.

In 21 games, Schmidt has batted to a .292 average and blasted four home runs. In addition, he has driven in 10 runs and scored nine runs so far this season. Before attending Cypress College, Schmidt enrolled at the University of Texas, attending the school from July in 2015, until May of 2016 before turning his attention to baseball at Cypress College. At Regis Jesuit High School, Schmidt was a two-sport athlete, also starring in football.  He is a native of Parker, Colorado.

Dillon Turney. (Courtesy: Rafters Baseball)

Joining Schmidt this summer in Wisconsin Rapids will be left-handed pitcher Dillon Turney from the University of Central Florida. The Fort Bend, Texas native spent his first two collegiate seasons at Blinn Community College. While mostly appearing out of the bullpen, he started six games as a sophomore in 2016.

In 37.1 innings pitched, Turney ranked third on the team in strikeouts with 48, while walking 23 batters. Over the course of nine innings, his strikeout per nine innings stood just under an impressive 12 and he was the only pitcher on the team’s roster to not allow a home run.

The season and home opener for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters is May 30th at 7:05 against the Kenosha Kingfish. 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 Office Monday–Friday from 9-5 to purchase a ticket package or book a group outing.