Nate Eppley is a 6'6" pitcher from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania who will play his first season with the Florence Freedom in 2013. The right hander graduated from Northern York County High School in 2008 and enrolled at Rider University in Mercer, New Jersey, to play for their baseball team. Eppley began is college career as a relief pitcher. In his first season with the Rider Broncs, Eppley appeared in 9 games and earned one decision - a win. He improved his freshman ERA of 7.36 significantly during his second year with the team, ending his sophomore campaign with a 3.86 ERA in 39.2 relief innings pitched over 22 games. He earned his first save as a junior, a season that saw him pitch just 13.1 innings in 14 games. However, this changed during his senior year, when he became a full time starter and started every game he appeared in (14) and even pitched 4 complete games. Eppley ended the season with a 6-7 record, a 4.27 ERA, and 50 strikeouts through 86.1 innings pitched. He graduated from Rider University with a 10-9 career record, a 4.86 ERA, one save, and 88 strikeouts. The Oakland Athletics selected Eppley in the 29th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He spent the 2011 season with the Athletics in the Arizona league for rookies and played for both the Vermont Lake Monsters and the Burlington Bees in 2012. All three teams were affiliates of the Oakland Athletics. Eppley compiled a 4-1 record in the minor leagues before signing with the Freedom for the 2013 season.
