Sidearm pitcher who has been used in long relief and as a situational pitcher ... two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member ... three-time winner of the Omaha Challenge competition among pitchers ... won the Omaha Challenge competition among pitchers in the fall of 2012.

2012: ACC Academic Honor Roll member ... had an 0-0 record and a 7.27 ERA in nine relief appearances ... in 8.2 innings pitched, he allowed 13 hits (.351 opponents' batting average), including no homers, and two walks with three strikeouts ... had 19 groundball outs compared to only three flyball outs ... had a 1.93 ERA and .133 opponents' batting average along with three strikeouts against no walks in 4.2 innings pitched over three relief appearances in night games ... in 3.1 innings pitched over three relief appearances against NCAA Tournament teams, he allowed one hit and no runs ... had a 3.38 ERA in 5.1 innings pitched after the seventh inning ... pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the first game of a doubleheader against UAB on Feb. 18; it was his first career appearance ... pitched 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings in relief with two strikeouts against no walks against Georgia on Apr. 11 ... retired all six batters he faced to close out the game against College of Charleston on May 6 ... won the Omaha Challenge competition among pitchers in the fall of 2011 ... played for Oneonta in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League in the summer, where he was 2-0 with three saves, a 3.43 ERA, and .227 opponents' batting average in 21.0 innings pitched over 14 relief appearances.

2011: Red-shirted ... ACC Academic Honor Roll member ... 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: Majoring in health science ... born John Clayton Bates on Feb. 4, 1992 in Charlotte, NC.