Clay Bates Class: RS Freshman Hometown: Rock Hill, SC High School: Northwestern HS Height / Weight: 5-11 / 180 Position: RHP Experience: RS B-T: R-R

Two-time winner of the Omaha Challenge...won the Omaha Challenge competition among pitchers in the fall of 2011...will compete for innings out of the bullpen in 2012.

2011: Red-shirted...won the Omaha Challenge competition among pitchers in the fall of 2010...played for Pineville in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League in the summer, where was 2-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched over nine appearances (seven starts); he allowed 26 hits (.248 opponents' batting average) and no homers.

Before Clemson: All-region and all-area selection as a senior at Northwestern High School...won the team's Best Pitcher Award as a senior...won the team's Hustle Award as a sophomore...member of the region champions as a sophomore, junior, and senior...member of the district champions as a senior...lettered three times in baseball at Northwestern High, where he was coached by Mitch Walters.

Personal: Member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2010-11...majoring in health science...born John Clayton Bates on Feb. 4, 1992 in Charlotte, NC.