Chad Zurat

Zurat achieved the lowest earned-run average (2.40) for any pitcher that registered over 150 innings in Behrend history.  From 2011-14, he was a three-time All-AMCC selection, All-Mid-Atlantic Region choice and the Team’s Most Valuable Pitcher. Zurat tallied a 16-7 overall record in 150 career-innings pitched and is second all-time in saves with 17. He also helped the Lions capture a pair of ECAC South Championships and one AMCC Championship.

A relief pitcher early in his career, Zurat became a valuable starter in his final years on the diamond.

Zurat, the Team Rookie of the Year, was penciled into the Behrend rotation and pitched 12 games and earned three wins while striking out 33 in 2011.

The talented and effective pitcher tied a school record for single-season saves with seven his sophomore year, leading the team with a 1.91 ERA and garnering Third Team All-Region and Second Team All-AMCC.

Zurat turned in his best season the spring during his senior campaign, going 8-2 on the hill and striking out 62 batters in 63.2 innings pitched. The Team's Most Valuable Pitcher and Third Team All-AMCC choice, he compiled a 2.54 earned-run average. That same season, Zurat put together one of the greatest pitching performances in Behrend history. The overpowering right-hander hurled a complete-game shutout, striking out 15 including eight-consecutive, and even accomplished the rare feat of striking out four in one inning due to a batter reaching first on a dropped third strike.

Along with his 17 career saves, Zurat finished with the programs lowest ERA of 2.40 for 150 innings tossed.

Zurat left the Behrend baseball diamond for another after graduation. He signed with the Major League Baseball Colorado Rockies organization and was assigned to the Single-A team Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco, Washington. He pitched for the Tri-City Dust Devils, Grand Junction Rockies, Boise Hawks, and completed his career at the Double-A level pitching for the New Britain Rock Cats.