RECRUITING: Three more locals commit to UNLV

UNLV’s baseball program has landed oral commitments from three players in the past week who will be high school seniors next season, multiple sources said Monday.

Bishop Gorman catcher Erik Van Meetren, infielder/pitcher T.J. White and Rancho pitcher Eric Holdren plan on eventually joining the Rebels and new coach Tim Chambers, who was hired from the College of Southern Nevada on June 11.

Holdren backed out of an earlier commitment to San Diego State.

UNLV has now received pledges from five locals in the class of 2011, including Rancho infielder/pitcher Brandon Pletsch and outfielder/pitcher Zak Qualls.

White and Van Meetren were key figures on a Gorman team that won its fifth straight Class 4A state title last season.

White earned second-team all-state honors after hitting .438 with seven home runs and 54 RBIs. He also was 8-1 with a 3.67 ERA. Van Meetren batted .356 with eight homers and 33 RBIs.

Holdren compiled a 9-1 record with a 3.00 ERA and had 87 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings. The right-hander was a first-team all-state pick as the Rams finished second in the state, one win shy of their first crown since 1976.

None of the commitments can become binding until the fall signing period, which begins Nov. 10.