For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters announced the return of West Alabama righty and three-time Gulf South Conference “Pitcher of the Week” Cole Waites, along with the signing of Elon outfielder Anthony Galason.

Waites

As a junior at West Alabama, Waites is putting up impressive numbers this season for the Tigers. His 94 strikeouts leads the conference and are third-best in NCAA Division II. Waites has a 3.56 ERA and a 3-2 record in ten starts. The 6-3 native of Lawrenceville, GA, has thrown two one-hit games with 55.2 innings of work.

Waites made an immediate impact as a freshman for West Alabama, earning Second-Team All-Conference honors in 2017. He went 5-1 and held a 3.22 ERA in 15 appearances and 12 starts. In his sophomore campaign, Waites struck out 97 batters and held opponents to a .214 average at the plate. He finished the 2018 season with a 4-5 record in 66 innings pitched.

Last summer, Waites gave up just four runs in 20 innings for Wisconsin Rapids. He finished the 2018 season with 31 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA in two starts and 12 appearances for the Rafters. Waites earned an 0-1 record on the season and picked up a save in an August win over Kalamazoo.

Galason

“I loved the atmosphere for home games last summer and enjoyed playing for coach Craig Noto,” Waites said. “I can’t wait to be back at Witter Field wearing cranberry and gold.”

Galason, a freshman outfielder, is hitting .256 for Elon this season. Through 31 games, the 5’7” right-handed hitter has tallied 13 RBIs and scored 20 runs. Galason was recently named Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week. The Phoenix are 18-14 and currently tied for first in the conference standings.

Originally from Colts Neck, NJ, Galason was a three-time Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American in high school. Additionally, he was a First-Team All-Shore honoree twice, as well as league Designated Hitter of the Year.