EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head coach of baseball Wes Carroll has added one more to his 2012 roster with the signing of right-handed pitcher Clay O’Neal (Russiaville, Ind./Western) to a National Letter of Intent.

“We were very fortunate to find such a quality pitcher in the late signing period,” said Carroll. “Clay O’Neal has a high ceiling and a tremendous amount of potential.  I look forward to seeing him develop on our pitching staff and compete in an Aces uniform next year.”

A three sport standout and two-way player for Western High School, O’Neal was named all-conference, Howard County all-star, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, leading his team to a 20-6 record, sectional championship and trip to the regional finals. He hurled 36.1 innings with a 2.50 ERA, while hitting .419 with 27 runs scored and four home runs.

O’Neal also piloted his American Legion team to an Indiana State Championship victory in 2009 and second-place finish in 2010, batting .431 with a 2.89 ERA in his career with the squad. In the ’09 title game, the 6’1 pitcher went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a triple, and a double, while also picking up the win on the mound. 

“I chose UE because it has my major as well as a great baseball team,” said O’Neal. “I feel like my future at UE will be full of success.”

O’Neal joins fall signees Kyle Freeland (Denver, Colo./Thomas Jefferson), Kameron Wright (Lockbourne, Ohio/Hamilton Township), Parker Asmann (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Lake Zurich), Conor Gilligan (Loveland, Ohio/St. Xavier), Kyle Schwinghamer (Ferdinand, Ind./Forrest Park) and David Luciani (Madison, Wis./Memorial) as the newest members of the UE baseball program.