Gems Add Four Players, Assistant Coach
November 28, 2011 - West Coast League (WCL)
Klamath Falls Gems News Release
KLAMATH FALLS, OR - The Klamath Falls Gems today announced the signing of four players and a fourth member of the coaching staff for the 2012 season. Assistant Coach Kurt Lupinski, pitchers Brian Murphy (UC Santa Barbara), Issac Henslee and Christian Bannister (Mt. Hood CC), as well as outfielder Devyn Bolasky (UC Riverside) will join the Gems as the team begins its 2012 season on June 1 against the Bend Elks at Kiger Stadium.
Lupinski, a 2007 graduate of Henley High in Klamath Falls, joins the Gems as an Assistant Coach. He was a three-sport athlete for the Hornets. For the last five years he has been at Oregon State University earning an Environmental Science degree with an option in Education, and a Communications minor. As a member of the undergraduate staff for the Beavers baseball team, he has worked primarily under associate head coach Marty Lees, aiding with infield play and catchers. He has accepted the infield coaching position at Chapman University in Orange, CA to start in the fall of 2012.
Players added to the 2012 roster include:
Bolasky, 6'0", 170, a freshman from Moreno Valley, CA, was named Inland Valley (CA) League MVP and led his state-wide division in batting average (.559) and hits (57) while also ranking among the top four in doubles, runs and on-base percentage. His 142 career hits are a school record. He struck out just 15 times in 298 career at-bats at Vista del Lago.
Murphy, a 6'3", 195 redshirt junior, transferred into UC Santa Barbara from UC Irvine following the 2010 season. A native of San Clemente, CA, Murphy played his transfer season at Saddleback (CA) Junior College.
Henslee, 6'2", 184, a native of Pendleton, OR, enters his sophomore year at Mt. Hood after leading the Saints with 63 2/3 innings pitched in 2011. He went 5-2 with a 3.11 ERA, and had 46 strikeouts and 12 walks in 13 games. He was also named as Pitcher of the Year for the Intermountain Class 5-A league after his junior year in high school. He is signed to a 10-day contract with a chance to remain with the Gems after his contract expires.
Bannister, 6'2", 175, a sophomore out of Columbia River (WA) High School, starred as a closer for Mt. Hood in 2011, appearing in 17 games and earning 16 saves while not allowing an earned run. He struck out 17 while walking 8 and allowing only 8 hits in the closer role for the Saints. Bannister is also signed to a 10-day contract with the Gems.
"As we found out last year, bringing guys in on 10-day contracts is very important, especially early and late in the season when players have school commitments," Gems General Manager Chuck Heeman said. "We've signed a number of pitchers who won't be arriving until mid-June, so bringing in Issac and Christian from a good pitching program like Mt. Hood was important. Devyn is a very highly regarded prospect at UC Riverside, and Brian projects to be a big part of our staff. So having these guys in early is important. We want to get off to a good start and ride that start into the 2012 playoffs."
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. For more information on the league, visit www.wccbl.com. For more information on the Gems, visit www.klamathfallsgems.com.
West Coast League Stories from November 28, 2011
- Gems Add Four Players, Assistant Coach - Klamath Falls Gems
- Knights sign Red Sox draftee Cody Dill - Corvallis Knights
- Knights Sign Massari to 10-Day Contract - Corvallis Knights
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