APPLESOX SIGN FIELDERS FROM NEVADA, LINFIELD, SAN DIEGO

Keaton Smith, Scott Hilpert, and Brhet Bewley are the newest names headlining the 2015 AppleSox roster.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Three new AppleSox will back the pitching staff in the field this season, Head Coach AJ Proszek announced Tuesday.

Keaton Smith, a freshman infielder from Nevada, Scott Hilpert, a sophomore outfielder from Linfield, and Brhet Bewley, a freshman-to-be at the University of San Diego, will all hope to back AppleSox aces with big gloves this year.

Smith, a native of Henderson, Nev., will be primarily an infielder for Wenatchee, but could see some time as a utility outfielder, Proszek said. He played his high school baseball at Green Valley High School.

“Coach [Jay] Johnson sent us a couple quality guys last year,” Proszek said. “I’m looking forward to Keaton being a utility guy after our conversation. He can play some second base, shortstop, and definitely help out in the outfield. We’ll give him a chance to run around the infield and outfield this summer, which will help give our outfielders a day off every now and again.”

Smith hasn’t logged a game to-date for the Wolfpack, and will likely exercise a redshirt option throughout the 2014-15 Nevada season.

Hilpert, a native of Liberty Lake, Wash., and multi-sport athlete at Central Valley High School, brings a strong outfield arm to Wenatchee.  

“I’ve always been interested in Linfield, especially with talking to Coach [Scott] Brosius,” Proszek said. “Scott has family in the area and is definitely interested in coming back for summer ball. To be close with some family and have a chance to play competitively in the West Coast League is a great opportunity.”

A six-time letter-winner in football and baseball with the CVHS Bears, Hilpert owns a .272 average for the Wildcats, along with a .364 on-base percentage. Hilpert has scattered 28 hits this season, with three doubles, a home run, and 10 RBI.

Bewley, an infielder from Chaparral High School in Temecula, Calif., will get his first taste of collegiate baseball around the infield this summer.

“I talked to [assistant coach] Tyler Kincaid at USD, a former AppleSox coach under Coach Knaggs,” Proszek said. “He said that Brhet is a great guy, fits in well, and will be a great addition. Primarily a second baseman, we will give him a chance to move around, get some experience, and watch him progress.”

Bewley was forced to fight off a life-threatening case of pneumonia with MRSA, in February. After 15-days in the hospital, he worked his way back to the diamond for Chaparral, where he has been enjoying his senior season.

Wenatchee opens its season with a two-game nonleague series against the San Francisco Seals, June 4-5, at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Tickets can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900, or by visiting: http://www.applesox.com/tickets/