Gems Announce Roster, Staff Changes
March 26, 2012 - West Coast League (WCL)
Klamath Falls Gems News Release
KLAMATH FALLS, OR - The Klamath Falls Gems of the West Coast League today announced the addition of two players and the hiring of Oregon Tech basketball star David Clarke to the Gems' summer staff. The Gems also announced that three previously committed players have been removed from the roster.
Committing to the Gems are:
Jamison Rowe, a 5'11", 175 pound junior outfielder from Nevada-Reno. A native of Richland, WA. Rowe is currently hitting .325 with five RBI and two stolen bases in 20 games for the Wolf Pack. He projects as a leadoff or second-spot hitter and is currently batting second for Nevada-Reno.
J.R. Kennedy, a 5'11", 170 pound catcher from Savanna High School in Anaheim, CA. Kennedy is an incoming freshman at Cal State Fullerton. According to the ESPN-HS (High School) Web site, A.J. is one of the top catching prospects in the nation. He has averaged .405 with 3 HR and 27 RBI in his high school career, striking out only six times in his last two seasons. He was named All-Orange County League three years and was the League's MVP in 2011.
Leaving the Gems roster are 2011 LHP Steven Schoonover (Nebraska-Omaha), who suffered a torn labrum in early March and will be out of action through the summer. OF Leo Sierra (Cumberland U.) suffered a torn hamstring and will also be out for the summer. 2B Aaron Payne (U. of Oregon) has decided to take an opportunity to play in the Cape Cod League.
"These are the adjustments any college wood-bat team makes through the spring," Gems General Manager Chuck Heeman said. "We hate to see anyone suffer injuries that will keep them out all summer, but Coach Josh Hogan has done a great job of filling the spots that come open."
Clarke, a junior at Oregon Tech and a native of Auckland, New Zealand, joins the Gems as the team's Public Relations and Communications Intern. His duties will include providing daily press notes, providing Gems players' hometown media with updates, writing post-game reports and working with the Gems on community outreach opportunities. Clarke was a star member of Oregon Tech's 2012 NAIA Champion Hustlin' Owls basketball team. The Owls won the Championship on March 13 in Branson, Missouri.
The Gems are members of the West Coast League, a nine-team professional style wood-bat summer college league. The WCL features pro prospects from major conferences across the country. More than 150 WCL alums played affiliated professional baseball last season, and more than 20 ex-WCL stars played in the Major Leagues last season. For more information on the league, visit www.wccbl.com . For more information on the Gems, visit www.klamathfallsgems.com.
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West Coast League Stories from March 26, 2012
- Gems Announce Roster, Staff Changes - Klamath Falls Gems
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