Nov. 25, 2008

LAS VEGAS - UNLV baseball received signed national letters of intent from nine student-athletes who will enroll at UNLV next fall and be ready to play during the 2010 season for the Rebels, head coach Buddy Gouldsmith announced Tuesday.

"We are honored to announce the signing of each of these young men today," Gouldsmith said. "I feel like we have addressed many of our immediate and long term needs as we prepare to graduate 11 seniors. The strength of this class is a tribute to our entire staff, especially the tireless efforts of our recruiting coordinator, David Martinez."

The class includes six high school athletes and three junior college transfers and also features three recruits with ties to Las Vegas. The prep signees are R.J. Arnold, Nolan Clark, Sam Friend, Duncan Satherlie, Bill Wardell and Brady Zuniga. The trio of transfers includes Robbie Garvey and Remington Wilson from the College of Southern Nevada, and Richie Jimenez of Riverside Community College.

This year's recruiting class is made up of athletes representing three states, including five from California, three from Nevada and one from Colorado.

The recruiting class will also include Kristopher Kaplan, a local product from Cimarron-Memorial High School who has been admitted to UNLV and earned an academic scholarship.

"The strength of this class lies not only in the abilities of these fine young men on and off the field, but in their character as well," Gouldsmith said. "The individuals in this class represent student-athletes and families committed to both a quality education and playing collegiate baseball on a national stage."

UNLV's 2008-09 RECRUITING CLASS

R.J. Arnold (INF) ... A three-year letterwinner for Northview High School in Covina, Calif. ... Earned First Team All-Valley Vista League honors in 2007 and 2008 and was named second team All-CIF in 2007 ... Helped NHS to back-to-back Valley Vista League titles in 2007 and 2008 ... Hit a walk-off home run in the second round of the CIF playoffs against Bonita High School ... Team eventually won the 2008 CIF Championship ... RJ. is the son of Pat and Dawn Arnold."

GOULDSMITH ON ARNOLD:

"R.J. is a versatile and talented two-way player. He hails from Mike Viera's San Gabriel Valley Aresenal, one of the top club programs in southern California. In addition, I am pleased to land one of the top players from coach Chris Murphy's Northview program."

Nolan Clark (C) ... Will be a senior at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, Calif. ... Carries a 21-game hitting streak into his senior season ... Named to the First Team All-South Coast League, leading the league with 29 RBI ... Allowed just two stolen bases from behind the plate as a junior ... One of 200 high school prospects to attend the 2008 Perfect Game National Showcase ... Listed as one of the top catching prospects in the country by the Perfect Game ... Clark is the son of Ken Clark and Megan Clark-Ingegnari.

GOULDSMITH ON CLARK:

"Nolan is a physical presence behind the plate, with a strong arm and enough power to have an immediate impact in the middle of our lineup. Playing for coach Zamora at Capistrano Valley, Nolan will have the opportunity of handle one of the premier high school pitching staffs in the country."

Sam Friend (OF) - Is in his senior season at Centennial High School in Las Vegas ... Is a three-time letterwinner ... Second on the team in RBI in 2008 ... Participated in the Kelley Showcase Junior All-Star game and was the offensive MVP after hitting the game-winning, three-run home run ... Part of the Angels Elite Team and had a .370 batting average, a .470 on-base percentage and a .444 slugging percentage ... Friend is the son of Rick and Lynda Friend.

GOULDSMITH ON FRIEND:

"Friend is a versatile left-handed hitter that could see time in the outfield or at first base. He maintains a solid outfield arm and can really swing the bat. It is always a positive when you can welcome a player from coach Cerrone's Centennial program here in Las Vegas."

Robbie Garvey (OF) ... Currently a sophomore at College of Southern Nevada ... A teammate of fellow Rebel recruit Remmington Wilson ... Earned second team All-Scenic West Athletic Conference honors ... Hit .303 with 27 runs score and 18 RBI, making 37 starts and playing in 57 games ... Tied for the team lead with 15 stolen bases ... Did not hit into a double play the entire year ... Prepped at Arbor View High School in Las Vegas ... Garvey is the son of Robert and Rosonna Garvey.

GOULDSMITH ON GARVEY:

"Robbie will look to take over in centerfield. He is an exceptional runner, should hit at the top of our order and steal some bases. Robbie has a surprising amount of power and I have followed him since his days at Arbor View High School. I commend coach Gary White and coach Tim Chambers for their part in Robbie's development."

Richie Jimenez (INF) ... Will be a sophomore at Riverside Community College ... Hit .271 with a home run and 267 RBI as a freshman ... Scored 35 runs and hit 12 doubles for the Tigers ... Started 53 games for RCC, helping the team to a 34-20 overall record ... Graduated from Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar, Calif. ... Jimenez is the son of Richard and Rose Jimenez.

GOULDSMITH ON JIMENEZ:

"I am excited that Richie is a part of this class. Richie is a long line of successful infielders to transfer to UNLV from Riverside Community College. He gives us a proven defensive shortstop and will only get better under the tutelage of Riverside coach Dennis Rogers this spring. The fact the Richie chose UNLV over Fresno State, the defending national champions, says a lot about where our program is going, and more importantly what a special player he is.

Kristopher Kaplan (OF) ... A two-year letterwinner for Cimarron-Memorial High School in Las Vegas ... Hit .315 with four home runs and 21 RBI as a junior for coach Mike Hubel ... As a junior he hit .410 with 20 RBI for the Spartans ... An excellent student, he currently has a 4.38 GPA and has won his school's academic award the past three years ... A member of the Cincinnati Reds area code team ... Kristopher is the son of George and Milena Kaplan.

GOULDSMITH ON KAPLAN:

"Kris is a physical corner outfielder with an exceptional arm and a tremendous amount of raw power. He is thought of highly by former Rebel and current Cimarron-Memorial High School coach Mike Hubel. Coach Hubel's endorsement, accompanied by Kris' ability and outstanding academic achievements make him a great fit for our program."

Duncan Satherlie (INF) ... A three-year starter for Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, Colo. ... Earned all-conference honors as a junior ... Led his team in hits, extra-base hits and on-base percentage ... Helped his squad to a 21-0 record and a state championship as a junior ... Satherlie is the son of Graham and Meg Satherlie.

GOULDSMITH ON SATHERLIE:

"Duncan is a versatile infielder who knows how to win and could see time at any of the three infield positions. A left-handed hitter from a great program at Cherry Creek High School, which is run by a successful Head Coach Mark Johnson, is a welcomed addition to your program."

Bill Wardell (LHP) ... Will be a senior at Freedom High School in Oakley, Calif. ... Was his team's MVP and a first team all-league selection as a junior ... Was the winning pitcher in the championship game of the 2007 U-18 Super Series Winter Nationals ... Selected to participate in the 2008 Perfect Game National Showcase ... Played on the 2008 Milwaukee Brewer area code team ... Wardell is the son Bill and Debbie Wardell.

GOULDSMITH ON WARDELL:

"Bill is an extremely talented and athletic left-hander. We expect him to land a spot in our rotation as a freshman. He has an upper 80s to low 90s fastball and a solid breaking ball and changeup. Bill has played some of the most competitive summer baseball in the country for NorCal's Rob Bruno as well as playing at Freedom High School for Gary Alexander."

Remington Wilson (C) ... Is a sophomore at the College of Southern Nevada ... A solid defensive catcher who made 17 starts for the Coyotes last season and appeared in 25 total games ... Hit one home run and drove in four runs ... Graduated from Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City ... Wilson is the son of Brett and Cheryl Wilson.

GOULDSMITH ON WILSON:

"Rem is a guy we have had our eye on since his days at Cottonwood High School. He is a solid backstop with a good arm and a quick release who I believe will surprise people with his bat. I am pleased that we could sign another one of Coach Tim Chambers' players and really solidify our catching position."

Brady Zuniga (RHP) ... Enters his senior season at Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, Calif. ... Named second team All-Del Rey League and to the second team All-San Gabriel Valley Tribune team after posting a 1.49 and throwing a one hitter in a CIF playoff game ... Helped his team to the CIF Championship in 2008 and 2007 ... Selected as a 2008 Under Armour Preseason All-American ... Tossed a one hitter and struck out 10 against St. Paul High School as a junior, part of a season in which he had a 1.89 ERA and earned second team All-Del Rey League honors ... Played in the 2008 California North-South All-Star game ... A three-year letter winner in baseball ... Zuniga is the son of Anthony and Sally Zuniga.

GOULDSMITH ON ZUNIGA:

"I am pleased to welcome Brady, another talented right-hander from storied Bishop Amat High School, headed by Andy Nieto, to our program. Brady is a physical presence with command of three pitches, and there is no doubt he will be a force to be reckoned with."