The AppleSox are turning to the Palouse to secure the latest additions to the 2011 roster. AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs has two players from Washington State University, infielder Adam Nelubowich and right-handed pitcher Scott Simon, coming to play in Wenatchee this summer.

WSU, who played a regular season home game in Wenatchee last season, has enjoyed recent success under head coach Donnie Marbut. The Cougars are coming off back-to-back NCAA appearances and were one game away from advancing to the NCAA Super Regional in 2010.

“Coach Marbut has done an outstanding job with their program,” said Knaggs. “We are looking forward to having a pair of WSU players on the team again this season. They traditionally send us some of their good young guys.”

Nelubowich, a native of Stony Plain, Alberta, is in his redshirt freshman season after sitting out 2010 with a labrum tear. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 14^th round of the MLB Draft in 2009. The corner infielder also played for his country as a member of Canadian Junior National Team in 2009. He is hitting .140 in fourteen games for the Cougars this season.

“We think he will add some pop to the middle of our lineup,” said Knaggs. “I’m sure he will be anxious to get here since he is behind a very good first baseman at WSU, which is limiting his playing time.”

Simon is another towering addition to the AppleSox pitching staff at 6-foot-7. The freshman from Spokane was drafted out of Central Valley High School in the 33^rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. In high school he also excelled at the plate, leading the Greater Spokane League in home runs his junior year.

“He is redshirting this year, but the WSU coaches project that he could break into their starting rotation next season,” said Knaggs.

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

Pictures:

Photographs of Adam Nelubowich and Scott Simon are courtesy of the WSU Sports Information Department.