(Wisconsin Rapids, WI) The Rafters have announced the addition of three more players to the 2010 roster today. Brian Embery (Wayland Baptist University), Derek Brown (Spring Arbor University), and Quinton Perry (UC-Santa Clara) have all been added to the fold for the team’s inaugural season.
After beginning his sophomore season as the third baseman at Wayland Baptist, Embery has since shifted to be the team’s left fielder. It appears the position switch has not affected him on the offensive end one bit. Embery has started all 39 games he has appeared in and currently boasts a very impressive .405 batting average for the Pioneers. He is currently tied for fourth on the team with 51 hits, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 11 home runs, and is tied for second on the team with 48 RBI. He also has maintained a .500 on base percentage and is 3 for 3 in stolen base attempts this spring.
Last season, Embery began his collegiate baseball career at Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington. In 19 games for LCC, he posted a .364 batting average. Embery is a graduate of Auburn High School in Washington, where he played for Coach Tim Kuykendall. He is currently an Exercise & Sport Science major at Wayland Baptist.
After transferring from Motlow State Community College, Derek Brown has had a breakout year for Spring Arbor University. A left-handed hitting outfielder, Brown carries a .378 batting average through 40 spring games. His 48 hits are second on the team, one hit behind the team leader in that category. Brown also has 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, and 21 RBI to his credit this spring. Continuing the success he had at Motlow State, Brown is 8 for 11 in stolen base attempts and carries an exceptional .474 on base percentage.
Brown is a graduate of Bellevue High School in Ohio where he was twice named to the All League and All-District Teams. He was also named All-Ohio Football and Baseball MVP his senior year. He is an Exercise Science major at Spring Arbor University.
Quinton Perry arrived at UC-Santa Barbara this spring after a very distinguished high school career. He has seen limited duty in his freshman campaign, appearing in 3 contests.
Recognized as one of the top two-sport athletes in Northern California, Perry starred in both baseball and football while attending Lassen High School in Susanville, California. He was named All-Northern League first baseman as a junior in 2008 and played in the 2008 Northern California Area Code games. As a sophomore in 2007, Perry hit .407 while driving in 35 runs and slugging a robust .670.
A tremendous athlete, Perry also displayed his skills on the football field as the quarterback of the Lassen High School football team, throwing for 1,697 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior en route to earning the 2008 Northern Athletic League MVP award. Quinton is the son of Eric Perry, who was a 15th Round Pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1987. He is currently studying in the school of arts and science at UC-Santa Barbara.
Ticket Packages and Group Tickets are on sale now! Single Game Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, May 8th. For more information call (715) 424-5400 or visit raftersbaseball.com. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2010. Opening Day at Witter Field is scheduled for Sunday, June 6 at 6:05pm vs the Eau Claire Express.
Street is an accomplished catcher entering his first collegiate season with the Cougars. The 6’0”, 190 pound native of Rockford, MI was All-Conference, All-District and All-Region in his senior season for Rockford High School. He was also honored as the team’s most valuable player and received a gold glove award for his work behind the plate. “Shane is blessed with a very strong right arm and great hands to enable him to be a premier receiver for his mound corp,” said Stan Eldridge, Bombers skipper and an assistant coach with the Cougars. “With a great knowledge and understanding of the game, Shane will serve as another coach on the field as he handles and leads the defense. We also expect that Shane will be an important part of the offense throughout the summer.”
Kauten comes to the Bombers by way of Spring Arbor and Utica Eisenhower High School in Shelby Township, MI. At 5’11” and 190 pounds, the freshman infielder was an All-State performer in 2009 and participated in the prestigious MHSAA East-West All-Star Game at Comerica Park last summer. “Adding a bat like Brett’s will greatly enhance our offense this summer,” said Eldridge. “With the ability to power the ball to the gaps and as well as Brett runs, he will create excitement for Bombers fans and be an important member of the team. Brett will also work in the middle of the defense to support a strong Bombers pitching staff.”
