For the City Times

Stevens Point native and St. Cloud State star Mitch Mallek and Plover’s Cal Giese joining the Rafters.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Counting down the days until Opening Day, the Rafters have announced the remaining roster spots for the 2017 summer, including close-to-home products Mitch Mallek and Cal Giese.

Right-handed pitcher Layne Henderson of Azusa Pacific adds to an exciting pitching staff for the Rafters this summer. The junior cruised through the 2017 spring season in 15 bullpen appearances, tossing 32 innings and giving up just six total runs, good for an ERA of 1.65. Earning a save on the year, Henderson struck out 42 batters while issuing just 13 walks. Opponents had a hard time hitting the righty, swinging at a meager clip of .179. Before his time at Azusa Pacific, the Rafter-to-be took the mound for William Jessup. In his freshman season he struck out 45 batters in 52 innings. The La Verne, California native graduated from Lutheran High School in 2014, where he held an ERA of 0.34 as a senior in 62 innings pitched.

Temporary players have signed their contracts with the Rafters:

Filling out the roster for the Rafters are nine temporary players, led by Stevens Point native and St. Cloud State’s Mitch Mallek. The sophomore held St. Cloud’s best batting average this year hitting .350 while driving in 40 runs and leading the team with 19 doubles. Plover’s own Cal Giese is joining the Rafters roster alongside Mallek from St. Cloud for a second consecutive year after a 2017 spring season which saw Giese lead the pitching staff with an ERA of 1.86. Giese started 13 games, tossing 72 innings and amassing 79 strikeouts. Sophomore Koby Bishop pitched in six games this spring with Northeastern Junior College, starting three games and pitching 10 innings. Coffeyville’s Sam Carver started 12 games as a sophomore this spring, holding a 6-5 record in 56 innings pitched while striking out 52. Jesse Slinger appeared in 26 games for Youngstown state in his sophomore year, throwing 48 innings and striking out 33 hitters. At Bakersfield College, Brock Hallum completed his sophomore year hitting .335 with 25 runs batted in as the team’s main backstop. With six home runs and 49 runs batted in, Josh Rehwaldt joins the Rafters after an energized sophomore year at Sioux Falls. In his sophomore season, Shaq Robinson batted .297 with 23 runs batted in while scoring 26 runs. Joining the Rafters with Robinson from Sacramento City College is Jake Guenther. The outfielder smacked two home runs and drove in 26, holding an average of .292 and scoring 36 runs.

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.