Fromer Clovis West standout signs with UNLV

By Andy Boogaard / The Fresno Bee

Sean Silva, a Bee All-Star pitcher/outfielder from Clovis West High, has signed a letter of intent to play baseball for UNLV.

The left-hander has long aspired to play for Fresno State. But when the Bulldogs asked him to walk-on — meaning no financial assistance — Rebels assistant coach Jeff Prieto, a former Bulldogs infielder, swooped in, offered Silva a scholarship and convinced him to play in the desert.

As a senior in the spring, Silva went 11-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 78 2-3 innings, and also hit .341 while scoring a team-high 34 runs and driving in 25 while being named Tri-River Athletic Conference co-Player of the Year, All-State by Maxpreps.com and second-team all-state by Cal-Hi Sports.

He was recruited primarily as a pitcher for UNLV, but will have the opportunity to play outfield, also, Prieto said.