For the City Times

Andrew Bechtold and Christian Jones bring power to the Rafters offense

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Chipola College and LSU commit Andrew Bechtold and Campbell University’s Christian Jones have signed with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters for the 2017 summer.

Andrew Bechtold. (Contributed Photo)

An impressive start to 2017 for Andrew Bechtold has the Rafters excited for the upcoming summer for the soon-to-be LSU Tiger. The versatile infielder is off to an incredible start in the batter’s box this spring with Chipola College. In 36 games, Bechtold is batting .451 with eight home runs and 37 runs batted in. With 47 runs scored, speed has been an emphasis for the Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania native as he has also stolen 15 bases on the spring. Out of the 36 games played on the season, Bechtold has at least one hit in all but four games. This included a 26 game-hitting streak where he had multiple hits in 13 of those games. Before signing with Chipola College, Bechtold redshirted at the University of Maryland in 2015. He served as the starting third baseman in 2016 in his redshirt freshman year, then transferring to Chipola for the 2017 season.

Christian Jones. (Contributed Photo)

Today the Rafters also announced the signing of Christian Jones, an infielder from Campbell University. After playing for his hometown college at Florida State Jacksonville for two seasons, Jones entered 2017 in his first season with the Campbell Camels. In 2016 as a sophomore at Florida State Jacksonville, power was the name of the game for Jones, clubbing 12 home runs and 11 doubles, driving in 37 runs. This season, Jones has jumped into the starting lineup with the Camels. The junior has started every game this year. In 25 games, Jones has hit three home runs and has 14 runs batted in.

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.