(Wausau, WI) Joining fellow University of Nevada teammate Brock Stassi, the Wolf Pack’s right-handed pitcher Jayson McClaren has signed with the Wisconsin Woodchucks for the 2010 summer.  McClaren, 20, is a 6’1” sophomore from Las Vegas, Nevada, and is majoring in community health sciences.

In his second year at Nevada, McClaren has provided the ‘Pack with solid relief innings without cracking the win/loss column.  Through his first two years at Nevada, McClaren has been used out of the bullpen, and has spot-started on weekends tallying 53.2 career innings pitched.  “I’ve been [pitching] mostly out of the bullpen, and I’ve had a few spot starts here and there,” said McClaren on his role this season.  “I usually come in and pitch in the later innings with the score being pretty close.”

Not even a month away from the ‘Chucks opening day, McClaren’s plans for this summer include getting in some quality innings, having a good season, and doing everything he can to return to Nevada stronger next year.  “I’m more of a finesse guy, I have to locate my pitches and keep the ball down in order to have success,” said an exhausted McClaren upon returning from a four-game road series at Hawaii.

As mentioned, McClaren is teammates at Nevada with 2010 Woodchuck Brock Stassi, who is having an sensational year in the WAC.  Through eight starts on the mound, Stassi has accrued 54.2 innings pitched, a 3.62 ERA, and 5 wins.  As a DH (when he’s not on the mound), Stassi is batting a scorching .392 through 125 at bats – tallying 5 triples, 7 homeruns, 31 runs batted in, and 18 walks.

The Woodchucks 2010 home opener is on Thursday, June 3rd as they take on the Madison Mallards.  For group outing/ticket information contact the Woodchucks office at 715-845-5055 or visit the Woodchucks website at woodchucks.com.