Bucks Lock Up Returning All-Star for 2014
Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks have announced that right-handed pitcher Adam Dian will return to Waterloo for his second season in 2014. Dian (pronounced DEE-on), a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, is the 12th player to be named to the Bucks’ roster for the team’s 20th season.
Last season for Waterloo, Dian led Waterloo in saves with eight. The 6’4”, 225-pounder had a dominant season out of the bullpen for the Bucks, finishing the year with a 2-0 record, a 0.35 ERA, and 48 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. Dian held opposing batters to a .144 batters and gave up just 13 hits during his 23 appearances. For his efforts, Dian was named a Northwoods League post-season All-Star, a second team Summer Collegiate All-American by Perfect Game, Baseball America’s 13th top NWL prospect, Perfect Game’s 20th top NWL prospect, and the league’s sixth best prospect by Smart on Sports.
“In my previous five seasons with the Bucks, I haven't seen a more dominating season performance by a pitcher than I did last summer with Adam,” said Waterloo field manager Travis Kiewiet. “We put him in some of the worst possible situations and each time he found a way out of it. What he was able to do at the level at which he did it was amazing to watch. Having Adam back for another season is a huge step for us in our quest for a Northwoods League championship.”
Dian recently transferred to Pittsburgh from Temple University and will be eligible to play immediately for the Panthers. Last season for the Owls, the Pittsburgh native made 10 relief appearances and started one game, striking out 19 over 19.1 innings pitched. Dian finished the season with a 2.33 ERA and held batters to a .233 average.
Born June 4, 1993, Dian attended the Vincentian Academy where he went 5-1 with 69 strikeouts as a senior. Dian was named the Pitcher of the Game in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League All-Star Game and was a three-time All-Selection WPIAL pitcher. Adam is the son of Craig and Debra Dian.
The Bucks will open the 2014 season on the road versus the Rochester Honkers on May 27, but return to Waterloo for their home opener versus Rochester on May 28. Season tickets and group outings are currently on sale. For more information, call the Bucks’ Ticket Line at (319) 232-5633. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.
The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.