ERIE, Pa. – Penn State Behrend right-handed pitcher Chad Zurat (Clearfield, PA/Clearfield) has signed with the Major League Baseball Colorado Rockies organization and is assigned to the Single-A team Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco, Washington.

"This is a terrific opportunity for Chad," head coach Paul Benim said. "His career here at Behrend was special. He has a gift and earned a professional contract. We are thrilled for him."

The Clearfield native turned in his best season this 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. Zurat finished his career with the program's lowest ERA (2.40) in 150 innings tossed and is second in all-time saves with 17.

 "Our goals are to make sure players are earning their degrees, and preparing them for the bigger game of life, but every college baseball player wants a chance to play professionally," Benim said. "Chad earned it. It's another great day for Behrend nation and we all are really excited for him." 

Zurat, a 2014 graduate, earned a degree in accounting.

"I have the opportunity to carry out a dream by signing with the Colorado Rockies," Zurat said.  "Through my four years at Behrend, I really learned how to become an effective pitcher, and had different teammates and coaches teaching me new pitches, and how to better my mechanics to be more consistent. All of what I learned at Behrend is going to help with being an effective pitcher at the next level."