Team » Team News - La Crosse Loggers Official Website | La Crosse Baseball

Loggers Ink UCLA Infielder, Two-Way Threat from Hawaii

February 10, 2010

The La Crosse Loggers announced the signing of two more players Wednesday afternoon as Dean Espy (UCLA) and Trent Allianic (Hawaii) are set to join the Loggers for the upcoming 2010 season.

Sophomore infielder Dean Espy of the UCLA Bruins was selected in the 41^st round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft by the Colorado Rockies. His father, Duane Espy, is currently the hitting coach for the Modesto Nuts, the Class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, after playing eight years in the minor leagues. Before joining the Bruins, Espy attended South Moutain Community College (Phoenix) where he went on to hit for a .361 average and earned second-team NJCAA All-Region honors.

A three-year letterwinner at Red Mountain High School (Mesa, Ariz.), Espy went on to hit for a .476 average with six home runs and 30 RBI’s as a senior. He also earned Louisville Slugger first-team preseason All-American honors in 2008 before batting .588 and driving in 33 RBI’s as a junior. The stellar season earned him first-team Class 5A All-Tribune accolades from the East Valley Tribune (Scottsdale).

UCLA Head Baseball Coach had this to say about Espy when he signed his letter of intent, “Dean is a very complete player who has plenty of experience. He should be able to come into our program and be a major contributor right away.”

Joining Espy will be RHP/IF Trent Allianic from the University of Hawaii. Allianic decided to stay in his home state to attend college after graduating from Kaua`i High School in Lihu`e, Kaua`i. Allianic earned all-conference all-star honors from 2007-08, and was named all-state honorable mention in 2008. A two-sport athlete in high school, Allianic helped lead the baseball team to a Division II State championship, and was also named Offensive Player of the Year for football in 2008.

Espy, Allianic, and the rest of the Loggers will open the season on June 2^nd as they will host the visiting Eau Claire Express with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm.