Alex Bacon and Augey Bill to Return in 2013

(Photos courtesy Erin Connell Photography. Pictured Left to Right: Outfielder Alex Bacon and pitcher Augey Bill)

Wisconsin Rapids, WI- Wednesday, October 17th.  The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters announced that two members of the 2012 team will return to Witter Field next summer.  Northwoods League All-Star outfielder Alex Bacon (North Florida) will join left-handed pitcher Augey Bill (Arizona) on next year’s roster.

OF-Alex Bacon, 5’9”, 170 lbs (R/R) Junior, North Florida
Bacon burst onto the scene in a big way during his first summer in Wisconsin Rapids.  The North Florida product led the team with a .310 batting average (54-for-174) while appearing in 51 games.  His eight home runs tied him for first on the team and he also scored 40 runs and had 32 RBIs on the season.

Bacon’s stellar first half earned him an invitation to the 2012 Northwoods League All-Star Game in Madison, where he was a participant in the Home Run Derby.  Bacon blasted a total of six home runs in the derby, advancing as far as the second round, before being eliminated.  He also was in the South Division starting lineup, playing center field, for the All-Star Game. 

Bacon joined the Rafters last summer after two impressive seasons at North Florida.  As a sophomore he batted .272 with 12 doubles, six home runs, and 25 RBIs.  During his freshman season, Bacon batted .352 with 46 runs scored, 18 doubles, nine home runs, and 42 RBIs.  In addition, he also led the team with 22 multiple hit games and 12 multiple RBI contests.  Bacon has garnered numerous accolades for his performance on the diamond including being named Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year, Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American.  Bacon will begin his junior season at North Florida next spring. 

LHP-Augey Bill, 6’8”, 225 lbs (L/L) Redshirt Junior, Arizona
The 2013 season will mark Augey Bill’s third with the Rafters.  Bill didn’t arrive in Wisconsin Rapids until late June as his Arizona Wildcat team was competing in the College World Series, which they eventually won.  He was greeted eagerly by his teammates upon arriving, as everyone was interested in hearing about his College World Series experience. 

When Bill joined the team, he proved to be a stabilizing force in the Rafters starting rotation.  In eight starts, spanning 52.2 innings, Bill struck out 33 batters while only walking 11.  He posted a deceiving 2-3 record with a sparkling 3.13 ERA and pitched at least six innings in all of his starts but one (in which he went 5.2 innings).  Six of his eight starts were also quality starts--at least 6 innings pitched and allowing three earned runs or less.

Bill was also a member of the 2011 Rafters team, appearing in 8 games (7 starts) and posting a 3-1 record and 4.09 ERA.  During his two seasons in Wisconsin Rapids, he has appeared in 16 games, compiling a 5-4 record and 3.54 ERA.  In 89 total innings pitched he has struck out 69 batters, while allowing only 24 walks.  Bill is a native of Danville, California and is currently in the College of Engineering at Arizona, with a major in Aerospace Engineering.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. Reserve your 2013 ticket packages today by calling 715-424-5400, or in person by stopping by the Rafters office at Witter Field. Available quantities of all promotional giveaways will vary from event to event and will be available on a first come, first serve basis.  The best way to guarantee giveaway items is to purchase a 9-Game Package.  The offseason office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.

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