Waterloo, Iowa – The Waterloo Bucks have announced that outfielder Austin Pernell has re-signed to play with Waterloo for the 2014 season. Pernell,
a sophomore at Washington State University, is the 25th player to be named to the Bucks’ roster for the team’s 20th season.
Last season, Pernell played in 31 games for Waterloo, hitting .314 with 14 stolen bases. The 5’10”, 195-pounder drove in nine runs, scored 24 times, and finished the year with a .441 on-base percentage.
“Austin is a tremendous athlete and we’re excited to bring him back to Waterloo this summer,” said Bucks General Manager Dan Corbin. “He has the ability to get on base and steal a bag or two. His aggressiveness on the basepaths are a concern for the defense. Defensively, he’s able to track down balls in the outfield that other players in the Northwoods League can’t. Austin is the 11th player from last year’s 51-win team to return, and we’re eager for the 2014 season to begin.”
A native of Kent, Washington, Pernell is currently redshirting for the Cougars. Last season for Washington State, Pernell played in 44 games, starting 17. Pernell hit .266 with eight RBI, three stolen bases, and 11 runs scored.
Born August 20, 1994, Pernell played baseball at Kentlake High School where he was a 2011 first team All-League outfielder. Austin is the son of Garcia and Marcia Pernell.
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.
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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.