Ben Stephens’ favorite player isn’t a pitcher.It’s not Clayton Kershaw or Max Scherzer or Carlos Martinez, which could be surprising considering Stephens’ dominance on the mound the last six seasons.“I’m a Cardinals fan, but I always loved watching Derek Jeter play,” Stephens says. “He carries himself like a leader and always seemed to come through in clutch time.”But with another look at Stephens’ career, his love of Jeter makes more sense.Stephens has never really seemed to crumble under pressure.He pitched 20 innings for Warrenton as a freshman in 2012; the third-highest on the team.He won one game that spring while striking out 13 batters, and he only got better.Three years later he was an all-state selection and Gateway Athletic Conference North Player of the Year after leading Warrenton in innings (75 1/3), strikeouts (90), earned-run average (0.93) and wins (seven).He parlayed that into a scholarship at St. Louis Community College (Meramec) and played two seasons for the Archers.And less than a year into his college career, he got an offer to extend his baseball career for at least two more seasons.Eastern Illinois University coaches were impressed enough to offer him an NCAA Division-I scholarship in the spring of 2016.“I was a little surprised when Eastern called as early as they did, but I thought I put up good enough stats to maybe get some looks,” he said. “I’m just glad the opportunity came sooner than expected so I was able to play this spring with a clear mind.”Stephens will head to Charleston, Ill., in August to begin his junior season.“I’m excited to play D1 baseball,” he said. “JUCO and high school were fun, but D1 training and competition will be an exciting environment to be around.”Eastern Illinois is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and finished 21-35 this spring.Stephens believes the improvements he made after making the jump from Warrenton to Meramec will help his transition to Division-I baseball.“At Meramec, I think I improved the most mentally,” he said. “Rather than getting frustrated after errors or giving up runs, I’ve gotten better at staying relaxed and making good pitches. I have also developed a little velocity and improved my off speed pitches.”He posted a 2.10 ERA in 60 innings this spring for the Archers, which included 59 strikeouts.After finishing his junior college career, he joined a summer league team in Jefferson City, where he just finished up this week.He plans on shutting down his arm while preparing for fall workouts in Charleston, as well as a new school.He wants to major in zoology and become a conservation agent after graduating.But if professional baseball comes calling, he won’t have a problem putting that plan on hold.“It’s always been the ultimate goal to play professional baseball, and I haven’t lost sight of it,” he said. “Eastern Illinois provides a new stage to try to make a good impression on the right people and I couldn’t be more ready. Either way, I couldn’t feel more lucky to get two more years of playing baseball.”.STRIKE THREE — Ben Stephens delivers a pitch during the 2015 season. Stephens will transfer from St. Louis Community College (Meramec) to Eastern Illinois this fall to continue his baseball career. Record photo.