2025 (Junior): Made seven starts for the Hawks…Tied for team lead in wins…Led the team in ERA and finished third on the team in innings pitched…Second on the team in strikeouts with 30…Second on the team with a .250 batting average against…three starts of six or more innings…Became first Hawk to be named NEC Pitcher of the week for pitching first complete game for UMES since 2023 with season-high nine shut out innings and eight strikeouts in win over Delaware State on March 7…Winning pitcher with six innings, four strikeouts, and two earned runs in win over Stonehill at March 21…Named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll for finishing above a 3.0 GPA
Prior to UMES (Southwestern College)
2024 (Sophomore): Made 13 appearances with 8 starts for the Southwestern College Jaguars (Chula Vista, CA)…finished the year with a 2-3 record across 36 innings pitched, 34 strikeouts to 21 walks, and an 8.50 ERA…Helped the Jaguars go 23-19 (15-10) with an appearance in the Southern California Regionals.
2023 (Freshman): Made 12 appearances out of the bullpen for the Southwestern College Jaguars…across 15.1 innings of work, he struck out 24 batters, registered a 14.09 strikeout per 9 innings rate, and recorded a 6.46 ERA…Helped contribute to a 24-19 (16-9) season and lead the Jaguars to the Southern California Super Regional
High School/Club: Attended Patrick Henry High School…Helped lead the Patriots to a top 100 ranking in the state of California according to MaxPreps in 2022…Helped the Patriots finish 23-9 (10-2) in 2022 and finished 20-10 (12-3) in 2021…Led PHHS to 2021 & 2022 Eastern League Conference Championships…As a senior, he made 13 appearances with 1 start, registered a 2.76 ERA with a 1-1 record, 28 strikeouts, and a save across 25.1 innings of work…Hit a bases clearing double to tie the game in his high school league championship
Personal: His father Josh Stepner played baseball for the University of San Diego and pitched in the Oakland A’s Organization in 1994…Goal is to play professional baseball after he graduates from UMES…Favorite sports team is the San Diego Padres…MLB Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez is his favorite professional athlete…Favorite baseball memory was hitting a bases clearing double to tie the game in my high school league championship…Favorite aspect of baseball is the lifelong friends that he makes from the game...Graphic Design major at UMES
