2013 JUNIOR SEASON: Gonzalez started at second base for most of the Rams season in 2013. “Gonzo” was a strong presence up the middle for the Rams in 2013 and a huge threat in the middle of the Rams line-up…2013 HIGHLIGHTS: Was 2-4 with 3 RBI, a double, a run scored, and a home run in his first game as a Ram on 2/1/13 against Armstrong Atlantic University… Went 3-5 with 4 RBI, 2 doubles, and a run scored in a win against Millersville University on 2/9/13…Collected 2 hits, 4 RBI, 2 walks, and a homerun against Fairmont State on 2/15/13…Was 3-4 with 4 RBI against West Virginia State on 3/4/13… 2-4 with a home run, 4 RBI, and a run scored against Elizabeth City State University on 4/13/13…3-5, 1 run scored against Chowan University in an opening round CIAA Tournament victory on 4/18/13…was 3-5, with 1 run scored, 2 RBI in the CIAA Tournament semi-final game against Virginia State on 4/19/13…was 3-4 with 1 double vs Francis Marion on 5/6/13…was 2-5, with a run scored, 3 RBI, and adding the game winning 3 RBI double against Concord in the Atlantic Regional with the Rams down by 1 run in the Top of the 9th inning on 5/17/13…Also went 3-4, with 1 run scored in a Rams loss to Shippensburg University in the NCAA Atlantic Regional on 5/18/13.
2012 • SOPHOMORE SEASON (Surry Community College): At Surry CC he batted .350 with 11 doubles, 1 home run and 30 RBI........was named 2nd team All-Region.
2011 • FRESHMAN SEASON (Surry Community College): Hit .315 with 10 doubles and 49 hits.......also drove in 35 runs and hit 3 home runs.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was named all-conference (2008) and all-state in 2009 and 2010 at Cypress Bay High School.
PERSONAL: Son of Rafael and Karla Gonzalez…….academic major is Sports Management……..favorite athlete is Andres Galarraga.
COACH RITSCHE ON GONZALEZ: “Rafael has good hands and defensive skills. He was a vocal leader for us in 2013 and stepped up in a huge way in the post-season. His 3 RBI double in the 9th against Concord in the Atlantic Regional was as clutch as it gets. With his hard work in the fall and winter, he should be a leader at the plate and defensively once again for us in 2014.”
