Bernie's Stevens signs to play baseball at U.T. Martin following successful stint at Three Rivers

2010 Bernie graduate Quinton Stevens is set to continue his baseball career at the Division I level following a successful two-year stint at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Stevens, a standout hurler at the two-year community college the last two seasons, recently signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

"One reason I wanted to go to UT-Martin was because they have a really good coaching staff at the school," Stevens said. "They are good Christian guys and the school has a great atmosphere. Plus I couldn't turn down the offer they made."

Stevens led Three Rivers in multiple pitching categories in the 2013 season. He compiled a team-low 3.22 ERA and team--best 5-2 record. Stevens allowed only 35 hits and 16 runs, while striking out 35 in 44.2 innings pitched.

"It was a really good two years at Three Rivers," Stevens said. "It was a great school. We had fun playing baseball and I learned a great deal from coach Burkey [plus] I matured as a player and also matured as a person."

Stevens was one of two Three Rivers players selected first-team all-conference in the Midwest Community College Athletic Conference in the 2013 season. Sophomore Blaine Tanner was also selected first-team all-conference as a hitter.

"Statistically, Blaine and Quinton were among the team leaders in several categories, Blaine with the offensive stats, and Quinton from the pitching side of things," Three Rivers Community College head baseball coach Stacey Burkey said in a press release. "The two were also very good leaders for us off the field. They're both student athletes with great character, and good teammates. It's good to see those guys recognized for their accomplishments."

U.T. Martin currently competes in the Ohio Valley Conference in baseball with Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, Belmont, Jacksonville State, Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Morehead State and Murray State.

Stevens, who pitched as a weekend starter at Three Rivers, hopes to receive the opportunity to pitch against some of the top programs in the nation at U.T. Martin.

"They mentioned I may be a weekend starter," Stevens said. "Right now it's up in the air, but they are projecting me to be a weekend starter . . . We play a lot of big schools on the weekends such as Ole Miss and Vanderbilt."

The right-handed hurler says he has added pitches to his arsenal since he started throwing against college hitters.

"Since I've got to college I've changed the way I pitch," Stevens said. "I throw from a three-quarter arm slot now. I throw a two-seam fastball that runs anywhere from 88 to 92. I also throw a four-seam fastball with a velocity of 89 to 92. I've also developed a hard-breaking slider and a great changeup. I've also been working on a split-finger fastball, which is starting to look really good."

Pitching became Stevens' favorite baseball activity before he ever put on a high school baseball uniform.

"It started when I was a little kid out there in the yard throwing the ball up and hitting it," Stevens said. "That was about the age of five. Then I started getting into pitching when I got up to a certain level of Little League. There was one point that I realized 'hey I throw hard, lets do something with this.' I just loved pitching, worked on it and pursued it. God willing I've been able to achieve some things and got scholarships at numerous schools and I'm really thankful for that. Baseball has been my passion since I was five-years-old."

Stevens says he plans on majoring in Mass Communications at U.T. Martin.

"I'd like to be a sports anchor or news reporter," Stevens said. "I got interested in that field after I got invited to go to KFVS-12 in Cape Girardeau and they showed me around. I love talking and have actually had the opportunity to speak in front of 3,000 people at FCA Day at Poplar Bluff."

Stevens said he would like to thank his family and coaches for the support they have provided along the way.

"I'd like to thank my parents Brad and Amber and my grandparents as well for always being there to support me," he said. "I'd also like to thank coach Burkey and coach Scarano at Three Rivers. They've always been behind me every step of the way."