AppleSox Add Four from UC Irvine

Three freshmen and an incoming high school recruit will join the Wenatchee AppleSox from UC Irvine this summer. Outfielders Evan Cassolato and Adam Alcantara, infielder John Brontsema, and right-handed pitcher Shaun Vetrovec are set to join the AppleSox.

The Anteaters have consistently provided players to the AppleSox since Mike Gillespie was hired as the school’s head coach before the 2008 season. Gillespie recently won his 1,000th game as a Division I head coach.  

“UC Irvine is an outstanding program and we are fortunate to get such high-quality players from them every summer,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs.  

Cassolato, from Encinitas, CA, is in his first season seeing action at UC Irvine after redshirting last year. The left-handed hitting outfielder helped Cathedral Catholic High School win California Interscholastic Federation championships in 2011 and 2012. In addition to his success on the field, he was named to the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team in 2011 and 2012.

Alcantara is a freshman for the Anteaters out of Alta Loma, CA. He was an All-CIF second-team choice as a senior at Bishop Amat High School, where he also was named to the All-Serra League first-team his senior season after hitting .367 and driving in 21 runs.

“Both guys are quality outfielders that can run and defend very well,” said Knaggs. “They are the kind of players that can hit at the top of the lineup.”  

Brontsema, out of Santa Barbara, CA, is the son of former UC Santa Barbara coach Bob Brontsema. The freshman infielder hit .391 and was an all-city selection last year as a senior at Santa Barbara High School.

“He comes from the long line of UC Irvine infielders that we have had in Wenatchee,” said Knaggs. “Each infielder we have ever had from the Anteaters are fundamentally sound and know how to play the game right.”

Vetrovec is a senior at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, CA. The UC Irvine-commit is set to join the Anteaters in the fall after playing for the AppleSox. He earned first-team All-Sunset League accolades his junior year after going 5-4 with a 2.20 ERA.

“He is not only a top-flight recruit, but also a very bright kid,” said Knaggs. “He has a great future in front of him we look forward to having him pitch in Wenatchee this season.”

The 2014 season will begin at home on June 4th with a two-game series against the San Francisco Seals. The AppleSox will play a 59-game schedule this summer that includes 32 homes games.

Single game tickets start at just $6 for adults and $5 for kids. Season tickets are available now and can be purchased by contacting the AppleSox office at (509) 665-6900.