Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks have announced right-handed pitcher Clay Stephens will return to play for the Bucks in 2012. Stephens, a junior at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, is the second player to be named to Waterloo’s roster for the team’s 18th season.
Last season, Stephens joined the Bucks as a late-season addition on August 1. The righty appeared in five games for Waterloo, collecting two saves and six strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched. Stephens finished the year with a 2.35 ERA and held batters to a .233 average.
In 2011 for Texas A&M-Kingsville, Stephens appeared in 14 games, finishing with a 3-3 record, a 6.70 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in 47 innings. The Houston, Texas native was named the Lone Star Conference Pitcher of the Week after picking up a pair of victories in the first week of the season. Former Bucks’ coach Rick Heines (2008) is Stephens’ pitching coach for the Javelinas. Prior to playing for Texas A&M-Kingsville, the 6’1", 205-pounder attended Blinn Junior College.
Stephens attended Bellaire High School where he earned second team All-District honors. Born June 3, 1989, Clay is the son of Ken and Susan Stephens.