April 12, 2002

LAS VEGAS - Four players, including two Las Vegas natives, have signed national letters of intent to join the UNLV baseball program in 2002 head coach Jim Schlossnagle announced on Friday. They will join 11 other players who signed during the early period in November.

Andrew D'Angelo is a Las Vegas High School graduate who will transfer from Community College of Southern Nevada where he has played for the past two seasons. D'Angelo is currently hitting .363 with a .523 on base percentage. He has scored 38 runs with 21 stolen bases.

"Andrew will make an immediate impact in our outfield and in the lineup," said Schlossnagle. "He is a base-stealing threat and comes from a great junior college program."

Adam Lesko is a right-handed pitcher, originally from Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas where he was drafted in the 42nd round by the Anaheim Angels. He will transfer in from Dixie College in St. George, Utah, where he went 10-2 as a freshman and was a second team all-conference selection. He is currently 4-1 with a 2.42 ERA.

"Adam has been very impressive this spring and it's great that we have him coming back home to be a Rebel," said Schlossnagle. "He and Brad Thompson (fall UNLV signee) are doing very well for the #2 ranked junior college in the nation (Dixie College) and we hope they will do the same for us."

Fernando Valenzuela Jr., son of longtime major league pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, is a first baseman from Glendale Community College. As a freshman, he hit .404 with four home runs and 41 RBIs. He was a unanimous all-conference selection and a pre-season All-American. He is currently hitting .367 with four home runs and 27 RBIs.

"Fernando is a complete hitter who can hit for a high average and our ballpark will play to his strengths," said Schlossnagle. "I am very excited to have him join our program and expect him to make an impact in our lineup."

Eddie Gill is the starting first baseman for Sacramento City College, the preseason No. 1-ranked junior college team in the country. He is hitting .424 with five home runs with 28 RBIs and a .737 slugging percentage. With a strong arm, Gill possesses the versatility to also play the outfield.

"Eddie brings a wealth of talent to UNLV," said Schlossnagle. "He hits for average as well as power and plays at, historically, the best junior college program in the state of California."

2002 RECRUITING CLASSHigh SchoolAdam Elliot             RHP/IF  Clayton Valley (CA) HSMatt Elliot             RHP     Basic (NV) HSJared Johnson           RHP     Cimarron Memorial (NV) HSBrett Martinez          C       East Valley Redlands (CA) HSColtyn Simmons          OF      Durango (NV) HSMatt Wagner             RHP     Cimarron Memorial (NV) HS
Junior CollegeAndrew D'Angelo         OF      CC of Southern NevadaPatrick Dobson          IF      Cuesta (CA) CollegeTaylor George           RHP     Cypress (CA) CollegeEddie Gill              IF      Sacramento (CA) City CollegeAdam Lesko              RHP     Dixie (UT) CollegeBrad Thompson           RHP     Dixie (UT) CollegeFernando Valenzuela Jr. IF      Glendale (CA) Community CollegeJake Vose               LHP     CC of Southern NevadaPeter White             IF      American River (CA) College